On Day 5 of the World Health Assembly Meeting, last week, committee level session, member states were invited to make interventions on various matters or agendas considered by the Board of the World Health Assembly.
Solomon Islands Health Minister Hon. Dr Culwick Togamana made interventions on the agenda, universal health coverage and political declaration of the third highest level meeting of the General Assembly on prevention and control of Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and mental health.
In his intervention Dr Togamana noted the reports of the WHO Director General on these agendas and outlined some related updates which included; Solomon Islands endorsing the WHO Western Pacific Region action framework for safe and affordable surgery where he informed that work on increasing access to quality surgical services and mitigating harm on delayed treatment has commenced.
“Chair the Ministry of Health and WHO also supported an assessment of sterilization services at our National Referral Hospital and at a provincial hospital with action planning to reduce surgical site infection and sepsis resulting postoperatively and in non -surgical departments”,
“MHMS and WHO introduced a checklist-based approach to evaluate diabetes and diabetic foot management aiming to reduce the need for surgical foot amputations (the most common surgery in NRH)”, said Dr Togamana.
The Health Minister informed of the new oxygen plant at the National Referral Hospital recently received from WHO in partnership with the European Union. “Chair this oxygen plant will increase access to treatment of all Solomon Islanders with severe or critical pneumonia. This will greatly enable us to provide sufficient oxygen for those who need it both at our National Referral Hospital and the provincial hospitals, Area Health Centres and Rural Clinics.
Dr Togamana also conveyed agreement and support towards the specific priority areas for action which includes, one national plan with government financing for universal health coverage, health security and better health, reorienting unified national health systems towards primary health care as a foundation for universal health coverage amongst others.
He however explained that in order for this to be implemented and achieved it requires effective advocacy that is evidenced-based, adequate funding support along with appropriate technical assistance and effective engagement of multi stakeholders. ///ENDS
-MHMS Press