Preparations are well underway at the Western Provincial capital of Gizo as the Western Provincial Health and Medical Services (WPHMS) gears up to host the annual National Health Setting Conference next week.
WPHMS Director Dr. Dickson Boara confirmed the arrangements in an interview with the Solomon Star, saying the event will bring together health professionals and government officials from across the country.
The conference will be staged at the MSG Building in Gizo and is scheduled to run from Monday, September 22, to Friday, September 26th .
Participants from all nine provinces, including medical directors, health professionals, and senior government officials, are expected to arrive in Gizo this Friday aboard the Pelican Express.
“As the host, we are ready to welcome our participants,” Dr. Boara told Solomon Star in an interview on Wednesday.
The week-long program will also include site visits to designated health facilities in Gizo and nearby islands, allowing participants to observe and share experiences on health services in the province.
Dr. Boara explained that the event is an important platform for sharing lessons and strengthening cooperation within the health sector.
“The conference provides an avenue for medical professionals and leaders to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and collectively seek solutions that will improve health outcomes for our people,” he said.
Topics expected to feature in this year’s agenda include; prevention measures to reduce common disease in rural areas, communities and villages, sanitation, hygiene, maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, rural health delivery systems, emergency preparedness, and the role of provincial governments in supporting national health policies.
He said, every province faces unique challenges. For example, Western Province deals with vast geographical challenge and scattered islands.
Others may face different pressures such as high population density or lack of access to clean water.
“This conference will allow us to learn from each other and develop approaches that can work across the Solomon Islands,” Dr. Boara added.
He said the upcoming site visits will be valuable for provincial representatives, as they will see first-hand how health services operate in Western Province.
On Thursday the site visits will be to West Gizo, Rarumana and Kolombangara.
Meanwhile, preparations in Gizo town are ramping up. Accommodation and logistics are being coordinated with local hotels, operators and transport providers to ensure a smooth stay for the hundreds of visitors expected during the week.
“This will not only benefit the health sector but also boost the local economy,” a Gizo resident told the Solomon Star, noting that shops, restaurants, and small businesses are preparing for increased demand.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is also backing the event, saying it demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the delivery of health services across all provinces.
Officials say outcomes from the conference will contribute to shaping health policies and strategies for the years ahead.
Observers note that hosting the national event in Gizo underscores the importance of decentralizing such meetings beyond Honiara, giving provincial centers a chance to play a bigger role in the national dialogue on health.
As the date draws near, excitement is building among local health workers and communities who are eager to showcase their work and hospitality.
“The people of Gizo are proud to host this important gathering,” Dr. Boara added.
“We are confident it will be a successful and meaningful event for the entire country.”
Dr. Boara could not confirm how many participants will attend the conference.w
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
