Guadalcanal clinics on high alert amid flooding, UNICEF provides emergency supplies
By Alfred Pagepitu
Guadalcanal’s health authorities have put clinics across the province on high alert following nearly two months of continuous heavy rainfall, stepping up preparations to prevent disease outbreaks in flood-affected communities.
from left to right: Ronesh Prasad (UNICEF Social Policy Specialist), Basilius Cahyanto (UNICEF WASH specialist), Dr Ayaz Hussain (UNICEF Immunisation specialist), Dr Ray Seleso (Provincial Health Director), Dr Chanel Sabino (GP Health Clinical Governance Chair), Steve Ereinao (GP Chief Health Inspector) | Photo by Dr. Ray Seleso
To support readiness, UNICEF Solomon Islands has supplied emergency medicines, midwifery kits, Oral Rehydration Salts, ReSoMal for severely malnourished children, 500 collapsible water containers, and 20,000 water purification tablets.
The supplies will help 27 clinics sustain essential services for up to three months.
Provincial Health Director Dr. Ray Seleso told SIBC News the prolonged rain is disrupting daily life and raising public health concerns.
“Floods and heavy rainfall increase the risk of diarrhoea, malaria, skin infections, and complications for pregnant women and children,” he said.
“Our focus is on preparing clinics and communities before any outbreak occurs, rather than reacting after cases emerge,” he explained.
Emergency kits were provided following a formal request from the Provincial Disaster Operations Committee, endorsed by the Provincial Disaster Committee.
Priority was given to flood-prone Zones 1, 2, 5, and 6, where damaged infrastructure and reliance on borehole water increase vulnerability.
Each kit can support roughly 10,000 people for three months.
Distribution will begin Friday and continue over the weekend, coordinated by the Provincial Clinical Governance Committee to ensure transparency and equitable allocation to the most at-risk clinics.
Dr. Seleso thanked UNICEF for supporting frontline facilities, noting that collaboration with the provincial government, the Ministry of Health, and development partners is critical as Solomon Islands faces increasing climate-related health challenges.
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