Product/Service: Support for intensifying Primary Health Care ion Solomon Islands 

Technical Area: Service Delivery

Deliverables: Supports to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to improve Primary Health Care in the Solomon Islands through the re-introduction of the Family Health Record Card (FHRC). Field testing of the FHRC tools commenced in July 2024. From 11 November through 16 December 2024, FHRC was rolled out in Guadalcanal Province (Eastern areas) covering villages and communities in 3 out of 6 health zones which comprised coastal and hard to reach mountainous villages and communities. This rollout was made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of the FHRC task force, sub-technical working group, nursing division, the Guadalcanal Provincial Health Services and communities in Eastern areas. From February through April this year, WHO will support ongoing activities such as: (1) the completion of tally and data analysis and reporting of findings; and (2) review and perfect the final version of FHRC documents (manual and assessment tool). This effort has markedly improved health workers' knowledge of local health needs, reinforced preventative health strategies, and promoted community engagement. Feedback session with the villages highlighted this was the first visit to several of the villages where medical personnel, including doctors, sought out what family and community health needs and concerns were, with the villagers hopeful that such activities will continue, especially given the high cost of traveling to Honiara for follow up medical checks. However, challenges such as limited resources and accessibility to remote areas were encountered, requiring adjustments in project timelines and resource allocation. The findings from this initiative will serve as a vital baseline for ongoing health improvement efforts across the region. Support for scale up of the FHRC nationwide is planned for 2025.

Product/Service: Diabetes and diabetic foot care 

Technical Area: NCDs & Mental Health

Deliverables: 1. Eighteen health facilities in Central, Choiseul and Western provinces and HCC were assessed for quality of diabetes and diabetic foot care. Most (57%) patients presenting to primary care clinics had poor glycemic control and 70% were symptomatic (70%). Only 8% were managed appropriately based on SOLPEN standards, indicating that key counselling, follow-up and medication treatment protocols are not routinely followed.  2. In 2024, WHO in collaboration with MHMS introduced diabetes and diabetic foot care clinical coaching and quality improvement interventions. Small group coaching sessions enabled 254 (90%) staff from NRH and HCC to achieve at least 90% in diabetes; and 125 (50%) for diabetic foot and wound care clinical competency (see our dashboard). Quality improvement tools have been tested in HCC to evaluate the impact of coaching, identify gaps and develop action plans to strengthen service capacity. Nineteen national facilitators have received advanced coaching to support roll out to other provinces in 2025. WHO will continue supporting national scale-up and procurement of resources for targeted primary health care facilities.  

Product/Service: Support in strengthening infection prevention and control includign sterilization 

Technical Area: Service Delivery

Deliverables: 1. WHO supported the MHMS to organize training of the national guidelines on IPC to Temotu, Guadalcanal and Makira provinces, and Honiara City Council. 2. Using WHO/WPRO sterilization coaching checklists in five hospitals (National Referral Hospital, Kilu’ufi, Good Samaritan, Kirakira and Gizo hospitals), multi-stakeholder teams reviewed four key areas: 1) washing and disinfection; 2) inspection and packing; 3) sterilization; and 4) sterile storage. Action plans were reviewed and updated. The National Referral Hospital is progressing well with centralized sterilization through improvement of its CSSD. 3. A Simulation Exercise (SimEx) for infection prevention and control (IPC) was completed for in- and out-patient departments at National Referral, KiraKira, Gizo and Kilu’ufi hospitals to assess infection prevention and control (IPC) practices for patient, visitor, and healthcare worker safety. Three health facilities of Western province (Vonunu AHC, Kolokolo RHC and Rarumana Nurse Aid Post) were assessed for capacity and essential supplies present. This informed the list of essential procurement supplies for the remaining 60 primary health care facilities of the Western Province, Malaita province and Guadalcanal province (to be procured in 2025).

Product/Service: Support implementation of National Policies on inclusive disability and rehabilitation

Technical Area: NCDs & Mental Health

Deliverables: 1. WHO supported the Disability Inclusive Health Services Training (DIHST) in HCC and Guadalcanal province including a National Policy Dialogue. Capacity building exercises were organized for staff representatives from all Ministries in 2024 to implement the Disability Inclusive Policy throughout Solomon Islands. 2. Support procurement for strengthening essential health services: NCD PEN essential supplies and equipment, blood fridge and ultrasound machine