The Health Services Cluster Committee of the Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) for the Pacific Games 2023, met for the first time last, Friday 12 March to discuss their proposed work plan and activities for the upcoming Pacific Games 2023.
The Ministries included the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, National Hosting Authority (NHA), Honiara City Council, and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Cluster Committee deals with Health Issues that relates to the Pacific Games.
“As the Pacific Games 2023 is in Honiara, the Host City, it is important that we have a comprehensive Health system management planning in place to deal with Health issues in the country as we host the Games,”, according to the GSIC Secretariat .
As Solomon Islands will receive thousands of visitors from the region, including from our provinces for the Games, it is important that our Health system arrangements be in place so that we have an effective and coordinated Health system and services in place to deal with our visitors for the Games as well as our own citizens in the country.
“During the group meeting last Friday, Chair of the Health Services in the Games Organizing Committee, Dr Alex Munamua briefed officials on scope of work required under the Games Charter on Health Services for the Games and how we as host of the Games will provide. The Health and Safety of athletes are of paramount importance and we must provide these services as Host Country, according to GSIC statement.
Other topics discussed include safety of spectators, Public Health and Village Polyclinic and Outpatient.
As part of the Games requirements, the Government will built a Poly Clinic as part of its requirements in the Games vicinity and to be staffed by Medical Professionals to support the welfare of Athletes and competitors.
The Honiara City Council with the support of the Government will also be looking at renovating the current clinics in the City as we prepare to host the Pacific Games and to cater for the thousands of visitors conglomerating in Honiara for the Games
It is also important that early discussions with relevant Government Ministries and Responsible Authorities be held so that we take a whole of Government approach and have an effective Health system in place, come Pacific Games 2023.
Meanwhile, the GSIC Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister Cabinet noted the good progress of work done to date, and plans in place for the effective Health management system in place so that we could easily activate come Pacific Games 2023.
It also called on support and understanding of Honiara residents and the public to support the work of these Government Ministries and Health Committee as they embarked on their important tasks, preparing us for the Games.
The Cluster Group 9 Ministries are part of the eleven Cluster Groups where Ministries are assigned to different functions and responsibilities to support the Games Organizing Committee, the National Hosting Authority, and the Government to successfully deliver the Pacific Games in 2023.
GCU Press