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The Honourable Minister Dr Bosawai in his remarks at the meeting acknowledges the ongoing and cordial partnership between the Solomon Islands Government Ministry of Health and the World Bank. He acknowledges WB for the ongoing Technical support and assistance on Program of Analytical and Advisory Services (PASA) with primary focus on health financing and service delivery. He highlights the ministry likes to maintain the continuity of analytical work with the engagement of the World Bank. He further acknowledges the previous operational project, COVID-19 which closed in December 2024. The USD13M project aimed to prevent, detect, and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19, while strengthening national systems for public health preparedness in the Solomon Islands. “At the closure on 2024, our project disbursement was 97% of funds. The project made substantial progress in strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to the pandemic and future health emergencies. Key investments in infrastructure that have been delivered including: National Medical Store Warehouse expansion; Tulagi Hospital Upgrade; Good Samaritan Isolation and Helena Goldie Hospital and Isolation upgrade. “Capitalizing on the success of the COVID-19 project, we prepositioned our case with MOFT to be included in IDA21, and made a convincing presentation with MOFT. MOFT Minister then made a convincing letter on February 2025 of USD20M for the Health Sector, for continuing support to improve health systems especially in health services (community health, digital health and supply chain management). The proposed project is the ECHO (Empowering Communities improve Health Outcomes) project”, said the Honourable Minister Dr Bosawai. He adds, the recent Ministerial portfolio turnovers within short time may not help to maintain the prior commitment on the IDA21 investment for the health sector. Therefore, he calls on the WB to continue to support the health sector as he will continue to do likewise in his capacity at Ministerial and political level, in ensuring that health is considered high in the agenda on IDA21 as without health there is no wealth. Health is a precondition to Wealth said Bosawai. Honourable Minister Dr Bosawai once again thanked World Bank Team for the meeting with the MHMS Delegation. “I am sure we will continue to have the dialogue particularly on the IDA21 investment and our joint efforts in the health sector”, said Minister Dr Bosawai. The World Bank health team thanked and acknowledged the Health Minister and his delegation for the meeting with the WB team in Nadi, Fiji. Lead photo caption: The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Minister Honourable Dr Paul Popora Bosawai and Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil and Health Delegates held a bilateral meeting with the World Bank Health Team in Nadi, Fiji.
