High infant mortality rates alarming: Wale

LEADER of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale says the figures revealed in relation to maternity and infant deaths and low immunization rates for children are very alarming.

In a statement today, Hon Wale said it is totally inexcusable and he is demanding swift government intervention to respond to these problems.

Hon. Wale was responding to the revelations made by the Chief Medical Statistician at the national health conference held in Gizo and reported in the media this week.

“It is a very worrying situation for our mothers and children, especially those in the rural areas,” he said.

Hon Wale said it is already unacceptable and unjustifiable that 10% of births are still occurring in rural areas with no skilled medical and health support.

“It is heartbreaking to learn that stillbirths now also occur at a rate of one per day. This is simply shocking. This is a crisis that demands a swift and decisive response,” he said. 

He said the increase in maternal deaths from 14 in 2023 to 17 in 2024 paints a bleak and frightening picture for our mothers in rural areas.  

The Opposition Leader said Solomon Islands is clearly going backwards in this very important metric. 

“Increasing maternal and infant deaths coupled with a pathetic 7.1% immunization rate in children is a real crisis,” he said.

Hon. Wale said by looking at what the government has been doing in light of these statistics, one would not think there was a serious crisis brewing in the health sector. 

“This is truly tragic. Clearly, someone is failing our mothers and children, and responsibility must ultimately rest with the government,” Hon Wale said.

He said the lack of serious substantial investment in the health sector over so many years is a big part of this problem. 

The Opposition Leader said a country that does not prioritize investment in the health sector will suffer the consequences. 

“Tragically, it is mothers and children that are the victims of this negligence by the government,” he said.

Hon. Wale said as the government is formulating its 2026 budget, the health sector budget must reflect the gravity of the problems revealed by these tragic statistics. 

“Business as usual budget allocations will only perpetuate and likely exacerbate these problems,” he said.

Hon. Wale said it is one thing to announce such terrible statistics, but such announcements must be followed by reasonable and realistic responses to adequately meet the needs. 

“If the announcement does not result in any concrete responses and budget allocations, that would reflect a government that simply does not care about its most vulnerable people,” the Opposition Leader said.

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Opposition statement