Training plan for Climate Change and Health & Disaster Risk Management Workshop held in Honiara

By Mary Manelegua

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through its Environment and Health Division, hosted a two-day stakeholder workshop this week in Honiara, focusing on developing a comprehensive training plan for Climate Change and Health & Disaster Risk Management.

The workshop, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and with technical assistance from the World Health Organization Solomon Islands, aims to integrate climate resilience into health service delivery.

The initiative seeks to equip health workers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to protect community health amidst the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters.

Senior Health Inspector Ini Vaike highlighted that the training’s primary goal is to build capacity within the MHMS workforce, including nursing students from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

He emphasized that the training would help participants understand the climate change-related factors influencing disease trends in the Solomon Islands.

Head of the School of Nursing at SINU, Reuben Ma’au, underscored the importance of incorporating natural disaster components into the nursing curriculum.

He noted that SINU had already implemented this concept seven years ago and would now adjust to incorporate the new information.

He added that, given the global trend of disease outbreaks, incorporating Climate Change components is essential for a responsible ministry.

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