MHMS SEM and PHDS group photo
MHMS to Enhance Connectivity and Communication between National and Provincial Management Teams
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is embarking on further strengthening connectivity and communication between national and provincial health management teams.
This was the theme of discussions held at a dinner meeting last night between the Ministry of Health’s Senior Executive Management SEM) and Provincial Health Directors (PHDs)
Dr Gregory Jilini, Deputy Secretary for Health Care and responsible for the provinces welcoming the PHDs at the dinner meeting
The meeting is the third of its kind under the current MHMS administration where MHMS SEM and PHDs physically gather to update each other on challenges and issues faced, progresses and achievements and ways forward to effectively and efficiently deliver health services to the people.
Dr Gregory Jilini, Deputy Secretary for Health Care and responsible for the provinces welcoming the PHDs at the dinner meeting
Dr Nemia Bainivalu, National Health Emergency Operation Centre, Incident Controller and Deputy Secretary Health Improvement providing some updates.
The PHDs for all 10 provinces are currently in Honiara to participate in the Ministry of Health’s National Planning and Budgeting Workshop held this week.
Ceasing the opportunity Health Permanent Secretary Mrs. Pauline McNeil called for the special dinner meeting where she highlighted the need for strengthened connectivity and communication between national and provincial health management teams.
“ With the current geographical set up of our islands it is difficult for us to meet in person thus such opportunities must be ceased so to reinforce and strengthen our connectivity and communication including information sharing on what is happening both at national and provincial level”,
MHMS SEM and PHDS group photo
“In doing so we can make well informed decisions and take relevant actions and interventions to continue fulfilling our mandate to preserve and enhance the health of our people”, stated Mrs. McNeil.
She added, “Speaking of connectivity and strengthened communication, in the coming days we will be deploying video conference equipment to all provinces with internet capabilities so we can hold monthly video conferencing meetings. This will greatly help us to share information and more importantly ensure that support from national level is provided accordingly and in a timely manner”.
Meanwhile the Permanent Secretary acknowledged and thanked the provincial health directors for wonderful job done with COVID-19 preparedness and response including the current roll out of vaccines amidst responsibilities to ensure continuity of normal health services.
“Yes we have been challenged to our core with the COVID-19 pandemic, nevertheless, I am encouraged by your commitment, dedication and hard work to ensure minimal disruption as much as possible to normal health services with COVID-19 preparedness and response and current roll out of COVID-19 vaccines”,
“Our hard work, determination and so forth though many a time goes unrecognized and unappreciated, you all continue to serve well in your respective provinces. The journey towards preserving and enhancing the health of our people remains and we can weather the challenges to overcome these challenges through togetherness, strengthened connectivity and communication”, explained Mrs. McNeil.
The dinner meeting also offered the opportunity for MHMS Deputy Secretaries to share some important updates as per their portfolios to the provincial health directors ranging from public health care and improvement, corporate services, finance and logistics, staffing and so forth.
Dr Nemia Bainivalu, National Health Emergency Operation Centre, Incident Controller and Deputy Secretary Health Improvement providing some updates.
Provincial health directors also get the chance to share their stories, sharing progresses, achievements, good practices but also issues and challenges.
A wonderful dinner meeting indeed and surely not the last.
MHMS Press