Health Partnership Takes Shape Through Joint Dialogue

SIAPH Team Leader Dr John Rockett, DFAT Human Development Counsellor Dr Tristan Amstrong, MHMS Permanent Secretary Ms. Pauline McNeil and ASIPS+ Facility Deputy Director Ms. Laura reinwald

Dr Tristan Amstrong speaking during the PIC meeting

Honiara, 23 September 2025 — The Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership reached a key milestone on 18 September, as health leaders and partners gathered in Honiara for the first meeting of the Partnership Implementation Committee (PIC).

The inaugural PIC session brought together senior representatives to set shared priorities, strengthen collaboration, and chart the way forward for the four-year, SBD 150 million initiative supporting the Solomon Islands National Health Strategic Plan 2022–31.

Discussions centred on partnership priorities and practical steps for delivery. Partners reviewed foundational documents, including the draft inception report, implementation plan, and a new Ways of Working Agreement. This agreement formalises how the partnership will operate—covering support services, technical assistance, governance, funding, and accountability mechanisms.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Mrs Pauline McNeill, said: “This Partnership Implementation Committee marks a new chapter in how we work together under the new Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership for 2025 to 2028 and ensuring this partnership is successful in terms of the implementation of the partnership arrangements and achieving the expected results. By aligning resources, expertise and priorities, we are ensuring that health services reach more people, more effectively, with the aim to improve health access and quality across the Solomon Islands.”

She reiterated the importance of working together and acknowledged and thanked DFAT for the Partnership and seeing the importance of investing resources, be it financial, technical, supplies or equipment into the Health sector.

Dr Tristan Armstrong, DFAT Counsellor for Development and co-chair of the PIC added: “The Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership is built on mutual trust and shared ambition. Today’s meeting is an important step in translating our commitments into action that will make a tangible difference for communities throughout the country.”

Participants include Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership representatives, DFAT representatives and MHMS Executive.

The PIC will meet every six months to monitor progress and ensure decisions are delivered through joint planning, implementation, and evaluation.

ENDS///….