Final Joint Coordination Committee Meeting for Health Promoting Village Project Held

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) today held the final Joint Coordination Committee Meeting for the Health Promoting Village Project.

Mr Motoyuki Uegaki Resident Representative JICA, Solomon Islands who is out of the country delivering his remarks via playback of recorded video.

The four (4) year project, which commenced in 2016, was extended to 2021 due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Implemented in 15 communities, in Guadalcanal and Makira-Ulawa provinces, the project is an outcome from the Healthy Islands visions established among Pacific Island countries in 1995.

The project focuses on four key health issues, Malaria, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), nutrition and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH). It strives to promote healthy village where people are aware of health issues in their community, find ways to improve the situation, work together to make a difference and combine efforts for a sustainable healthy and happy life.

With the project coming to its close next month, the final Joint Coordination Committee was necessary to make final reviews and endorsements to the project completion report as well as to discuss the achievements, lessons and post-project prospects.

At the start of the meeting, MHMS Health Promotion Director and Project Manager highlighted that although met with challenges especially with the COVID-19 global pandemic, the strong cooperation and commitment by both MHMS and JICA had made it possible for the project to reach where it is today, a successful end.

“While the project will end, the Health Promotion Department of MHMS will continue with the healthy setting voyage. Lessons learnt and the products generated from the project will set the platform to navigate the sustainability and scalability of the healthy setting approach in the provinces”, assured Mr. Leamana.

Mr. Motoyuki Uegaki Resident Representative JICA, Solomon Islands, acknowledged leadership and commitment by the Ministry of Health towards the project.

Health PS, Pauline McNeil and Ken Hashimoto, Chief Advisor of Health Promoting Village Project showing the final project report that they have signed off.

“Thank you Mrs. Pauline McNeil for your leadership as the director of the project and for the support continuously rendered. I thank as well all counterparts, stakeholders and project manager for your hard work, dedication and commitment towards this project, you have done well indeed despite pressures from COVID-19 and because of this, have achieved a lot.”

He explained that “the upscale and sustainability will very much depend on ownership, therefore encouraged the Ministry of Health and communities to continue to take ownership of the project and ensure that other communities can also learn and benefit from it as well”.

Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil in delivering her remarks to open the meeting thanked the government of Japan for the tremendous support provided through JICA for the Health Promoting Village Project.

“Thank you for the both technical and financial support rendered towards the project that has significantly contributed towards its progress and successful completion. I can assure with confidence that our health promotion team will continue this good work that you have supported into the future to other communities across the country”.

Following the meeting, Mrs. McNeil and Ken Hashimoto, Chief Advisor of health promoting village project signed the project completion report.

MHMS Press