Food Security: World Vision says families in Solomon Islands need more than four days’ work to afford a basket of basic foods, highlighting the strain of food costs on nutrition and wellbeing. Breast Cancer: A national campaign is urging women to seek screening and prompt assessment. Solomon Islands records about 128 diagnoses and 47 deaths each year, while NRH conducted just 190 mammograms in the first half of 2026. Essential Care: WHO reports gaps in follow-up and prevention: only 15% of pregnant women reach the recommended eight antenatal visits, and fewer than half of children receive all recommended vaccines. Health Services: Parliament is seeking public submissions on C-section care at NRH, including staffing, supplies and referrals from remote communities. MHMS is also developing a five-year laboratory plan to strengthen diagnosis and disease surveillance. Rural Access: Bellona’s only clinic is struggling with medicine shortages, limited facilities and difficult transport links, leaving one nurse to serve the island.
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Health Workforce: Six Solomon Islands Chevening scholars have returned with UK master’s degrees, including tropical medicine expertise that could strengthen local health services. Health Access: A WHO assessment highlights gaps in care: just 15% of pregnant women complete eight antenatal visits, and fewer than half of children receive all recommended vaccines. Rural Care: Bellona’s only clinic is staffed by one nurse and faces medicine shortages and difficult links to Honiara. Maternal Services: Parliament is seeking public submissions on whether the National Referral Hospital has the staff, supplies and referral systems needed for safe, timely Caesarean sections. Prevention: Health workers are urging women to seek breast checks; 128 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, while screening numbers remain low. Health Equity: An investigation found 2025 overseas medical spending for MPs exceeded the amount set aside for ordinary citizens. Maritime Safety: After all 73 people aboard MV Awka were rescued, Temotu’s premier called for stronger vessel checks, warning that island communities rely on ships to reach essential services.
Breast Cancer: A campaign is urging women to seek screening: 128 women are diagnosed in Solomon Islands each year and 47 die. NRH recorded just 190 mammograms in the first six months of 2026. Essential Care: WHO is calling for stronger follow-up and reliable supplies. While most pregnant women receive an initial antenatal visit, only 15% attend the recommended eight; fewer than half of children receive all recommended vaccines. Maternal Services: Parliament is seeking public submissions on whether the National Referral Hospital has the staff, medicines, blood and equipment needed for safe, timely Caesarean sections, including for women referred from remote areas. Health Access: Bellona’s only clinic is short of medicines and space, with distance from Honiara making resupply difficult. Meanwhile, Naha’s birthing and urban health centre has begun round-the-clock services, including low-risk births. Public Funding: An ABC investigation raises questions about overseas medical spending for MPs, as a woman with rheumatic heart disease waits for public help to fund surgery unavailable locally.
Heart Disease Prevention: A Fijian surgeon is urging healthier diets, regular exercise and check-ups to prevent heart disease. His clinic has treated 30 patients from seven Pacific countries, including Solomon Islands. Essential Services: WHO says gaps remain in Solomon Islands care: one in four women tested for syphilis at their first antenatal visit was positive, but none had contact tracing. Only 15% of pregnant women complete eight recommended visits, and fewer than half of children receive all recommended vaccines. Overseas Care: An ABC investigation found the Prime Minister’s Office spent about A$1.5 million on overseas medical care for MPs in 2025, compared with A$1.2 million set aside for ordinary citizens. The report raises questions about access and approval processes as a woman with rheumatic heart disease struggles to fund surgery overseas. Maternity Services: Parliament is inviting submissions on C-section care at the National Referral Hospital, including staffing, supplies and emergency referrals from remote areas. Round-the-Clock Care: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has begun 24/7 birthing and primary care; more than 8,400 people have visited in its first six weeks. Rural Access: Bellona’s only clinic faces medicine shortages, limited facilities and difficult transport links to Honiara.
Overseas Medical Care: An ABC investigation found the Prime Minister’s Office spent about A$1.5 million on overseas care for MPs in 2025, compared with A$1.2 million set aside for public patients. It raises questions about whether some officials received treatment abroad despite cheaper local options, while heart patient Anna Bugotu struggles to fund surgery unavailable in the country. Maternal Health: Parliament is inviting public submissions for an inquiry into C-section services at the National Referral Hospital, including staffing, medicines, blood supplies and delays in referring women from remote areas. Rural Services: Bellona’s only clinic is short on medicines and facilities, with one nurse serving the island. In North Malaita, a mobile clinic delivered family planning and HPV screening across five communities. Honiara Care: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has moved to 24-hour birthing and primary care; more than 8,400 people have visited in its first six weeks. Water and Health: Gizo’s worsening water shortage is affecting schools and health services, with water trucks supplying the hospital.
Rural Care: Bellona’s only clinic is struggling with medicine shortages, poor facilities and isolation, leaving one nurse to serve the island. Health Funding: An ABC investigation found the Prime Minister’s Office spent about AU$1.5 million on overseas medical care for MPs in 2025, against AU$1.2 million for public patients. A woman awaiting heart surgery has raised only AU$5,000 of the nearly AU$35,000 needed. Honiara Services: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has begun 24/7 birthing and primary care; more than 8,400 people have visited in its first six weeks. Water and Health: Gizo’s worsening water shortage is disrupting schools and putting pressure on health services, with water trucks supplying the hospital. Rural Outreach: A mobile clinic brought family planning and HPV screening to five North Malaita communities. Food Safety: Honiara City Council’s permit and training rules for ready-to-eat food vendors took effect on 12 October, with enforcement intended to reduce food-borne illness. Vaccination: WHO warns that falling vaccine coverage across the Western Pacific is raising the risk of disease outbreaks.
Rural Care: Bellona’s only clinic is struggling with medicine shortages, poor facilities and isolation. One nurse serves the island, far from supplies and support in Honiara. Access to Treatment: An ABC investigation found the Prime Minister’s Office spent about AU$1.5 million on overseas medical care for MPs in 2025, compared with AU$1.2 million for public patients. Anna Bugotu, who needs heart surgery unavailable locally, is still waiting for help. Honiara Services: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has moved to 24-hour birthing and primary care, six weeks after opening; more than 8,400 people have visited. Water and Health: Gizo’s worsening water shortage is disrupting schools and putting pressure on healthcare facilities, including the hospital. Rural Outreach: A mobile clinic brought family planning and HPV screening to five North Malaita communities. Food Safety: Honiara City Council’s permit and training rules for ready-to-eat food vendors took effect on 12 October, with unapproved food subject to confiscation. Vaccination: WHO warns that nearly 1.7 million babies in the Western Pacific missed their first routine vaccine dose in 2025, raising the risk of disease outbreaks.
Sea Rescue: All 73 passengers and crew from the disabled MV Akwa were brought safely ashore at Vanikoro; a nurse had treated two people aboard, and rescuers delivered medical supplies. Public Medical Funding: An ABC investigation found the Prime Minister’s Office spent about AU$1.5 million on overseas care for MPs in 2025, compared with AU$1.2 million for public patients. Heart patient Anna Bugotu is still fundraising for surgery unavailable locally. Honiara Care: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has begun 24-hour birthing and primary care, six weeks after opening; more than 8,400 people have visited. Water and Food Safety: Gizo’s worsening water shortage is disrupting schools and health services. In Honiara, food vendors must complete safety training and hold permits or risk having food confiscated. Sexual Health: SIPPA plans free, confidential mobile HIV and syphilis testing three nights a week in Honiara, while a recent North Malaita outreach brought reproductive health services to five rural communities.
Sea Rescue: All 73 passengers and crew from the drifting MV Awka have been brought ashore in Temotu. A Vanuatu health-response vessel transported them to Vanikoro after several days at sea; a nurse had treated two people who became unwell. Water Shortage: Gizo’s worsening dry-season crisis has disrupted schools and put pressure on health services, with water trucks supplying the hospital. Honiara Care: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has moved to round-the-clock birthing and primary care. More than 8,400 people have used the centre in its first six weeks. Food Safety: Honiara City Council says ready-to-eat food vendors must complete safety training and hold a permit by October 12 or risk having food confiscated. Sexual Health: SIPPA’s mobile clinic is offering free, confidential HIV and syphilis testing in Honiara three nights a week, while a recent outreach brought family-planning and HPV screening to five North Malaita communities. Overseas Treatment: Questions are growing over publicly funded overseas care for MPs and officials, as patients such as Anna Bugotu struggle to access funding for surgery unavailable locally.
Ferry Rescue: Seventy-three passengers stranded aboard the MV Awka after an engine failure received food, water, medical supplies and communications equipment as rescue efforts continued in rough seas. Health Care Access: An investigation has raised questions about public funding for overseas treatment for MPs and officials, while rheumatic heart disease patient Anna Bugotu struggles to raise money for surgery unavailable locally. Honiara Services: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has begun 24-hour birthing and primary care, six weeks after opening; it has already served more than 8,400 people. Sexual Health: SIPPA is launching confidential mobile HIV and syphilis testing three nights a week in Honiara, while its outreach in North Malaita brought family planning and HPV screening to five rural communities. Prevention: WHO warns vaccine gaps are raising the risk of outbreaks across the Western Pacific. Honiara food vendors must complete safety training and obtain permits by October 12 or risk having their food confiscated.
Ferry Emergency: Rescue efforts are underway for 73 passengers stranded aboard the MV Awka after engine failure left it drifting in rough seas. Supplies, including drinking water and medical supplies, have been delivered as rescue vessels head to the ship. Overseas Treatment: An ABC investigation raises questions about public funding for MPs’ medical care overseas while ordinary patients wait. Anna Bugotu, who needs heart surgery unavailable locally, has raised only $5,000 of the nearly $35,000 she needs. Honiara Care: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has begun round-the-clock birthing and primary care, six weeks after opening. It has already served more than 8,400 people. Rural and Sexual Health: A SIPPA outreach delivered family planning and HPV screening in five North Malaita communities. In Honiara, a new mobile clinic will offer free, confidential HIV and syphilis testing three nights a week. Food Safety: Honiara food vendors must complete safety training and obtain permits by 12 October or risk having food confiscated. Vaccines: WHO warns that falling regional vaccination coverage leaves communities vulnerable to outbreaks; nearly 1.7 million Western Pacific babies missed a routine first vaccine dose in 2025.
Vaccination: WHO warns that nearly 1.7 million babies in the Western Pacific missed their first routine vaccine dose in 2025, raising the risk of diseases such as measles returning. Rescue at Sea: A French aircraft has delivered supplies to 73 passengers aboard drifting vessel MV Awka, while further aircraft and boats prepare to bring drinking water, medicine and assistance. Honiara Care: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has begun round-the-clock birthing and primary care, easing pressure on the National Referral Hospital; more than 8,400 people have visited in its first six weeks. Rural Services: A Ministry of Health and SIPPA outreach brought family planning and HPV screening to five North Malaita communities. SIPPA is also launching confidential night-time HIV and syphilis testing in Honiara. Food Safety: Honiara City Council says ready-to-eat food vendors must complete safety training and obtain permits by October 12 or risk having food confiscated. Regional Health Aid: An Indonesian humanitarian mission due in Honiara October 18–22 will bring medical supplies and provide health support.
Sea Rescue: Assistance is being mobilised for 73 passengers aboard the drifting MV Awka, with France, Australia and New Zealand offering help, including drinking water and medical supplies. Honiara Services: Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has begun round-the-clock birthing and primary care, six weeks after opening. More than 8,400 people have visited so far. Rural Health: A Ministry of Health and SIPPA mobile outreach brought family planning and HPV screening to five North Malaita communities. SIPPA is also launching confidential HIV and syphilis testing in Honiara three nights a week. Food Safety: Honiara food vendors must complete safety training and obtain permits by October 12 or face having their ready-to-eat food removed. Climate and Health: Pacific officials, including a Solomon Islands representative, are urging stronger climate finance, warning that rising heat, floods and changing disease patterns are already affecting community health.
24-Hour Care: Honiara’s Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre has started round-the-clock birthing and primary care, just six weeks after opening. More than 8,400 people have visited, and the service is expected to ease pressure on the National Referral Hospital. Food Safety: Honiara City Council says ready-to-eat food vendors must complete safety training and obtain permits by October 12 or risk having food confiscated. HIV Testing: SIPPA plans to launch free, confidential mobile HIV and syphilis testing three nights a week in Honiara, bringing screening closer to communities. Climate and Health: Pacific health officials, including Solomon Islands representatives, are urging stronger climate action and funding, warning that heat, drought, flooding and changing disease patterns are harming community wellbeing. Clean Water: A UNICEF Aotearoa workplace fundraiser will support water, sanitation and hygiene programmes for children in Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu.
Clean Water: UNICEF Aotearoa’s Pacific ‘Fits Day fundraiser will support water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu, including climate-resilient water systems. Food Safety: Honiara City Council says cooked and ready-to-eat food vendors must complete safety training and obtain permits by 12 October or risk having their food confiscated. Sexual Health: SIPPA plans to begin free, confidential HIV and syphilis testing in Honiara through a mobile clinic operating three nights a week. Climate and Health: Pacific health officials are urging stronger climate finance, warning that heat, drought, floods and changing disease patterns are already affecting community health. Medical Support: An Indonesian Navy humanitarian mission scheduled for Honiara on 18–22 October will bring medicines and medical equipment. Disaster Recovery: The government plans to rebuild about 1,300 homes damaged by Cyclone Maila; health clinics and other infrastructure are also slated for repair, subject to additional funding.
Climate and Health: Pacific officials, including Solomon Islands representatives, are urging stronger climate finance and action ahead of COP31, warning that heat, drought, floods and shifting disease patterns are already harming health. Solomon Islander Millicent Barty also described how climate displacement can place heavy social burdens on girls and young women. HIV Services: SIPPA plans to launch a free, confidential mobile clinic in Honiara, offering HIV and syphilis testing three nights a week and taking services into communities. Disaster Recovery: The government has allocated SB$75 million to rebuild homes damaged by Cyclone Maila; health clinics and other infrastructure are also slated for repair, subject to further funding. Medical Support: An Indonesian Navy humanitarian mission is due in Honiara from October 18–22, bringing medicines and medical equipment alongside other community assistance.
HIV Care: A global survey found that more than half of responding sexual-health organizations had run out of some HIV medicines or supplies in the past year, as US aid cuts disrupt services. The findings do not specify shortages in Solomon Islands. Local Testing: SIPPA plans to launch a free, confidential mobile clinic offering HIV and syphilis tests three nights a week in Honiara, helping people who cannot easily access daytime services. Medical Assistance: An Indonesian humanitarian mission due in Honiara from October 18–22 will bring medicines and medical equipment, alongside community support. Disaster Recovery: The government has allocated SB$75 million to rebuild homes damaged by Cyclone Maila; health clinics and other infrastructure are also slated for reconstruction through further government and donor funding.
HIV Testing: SIPPA plans to launch a free, confidential mobile clinic in Honiara this Friday, offering HIV and syphilis tests three nights a week, with locations kept private. Disaster Recovery: The government has allocated SB$75 million to rebuild about 1,300 homes damaged by Cyclone Maila; health clinics and other infrastructure are also slated for repairs, subject to further funding. Medical Aid: An Indonesian Navy humanitarian mission is due in Honiara from October 18 to 22, bringing medicines, medical equipment and health personnel. Safe Water: Families in Qalovoke, Choiseul, say unreliable water supplies affect daily life and local health care; the rural health centre relies on rainwater and is staffed by one nurse. Health Reporting: A national review aims to simplify health data reporting, after a study found heavy paperwork burdens on health workers and inconsistent use of reporting forms.
Sexual Health Access: SIPPA is set to start a free, confidential mobile clinic in Honiara offering HIV and syphilis screening three nights a week, with locations kept private for safety and confidentiality and outreach led by volunteers plus two dedicated nurses. Public Health & Safety: Police are investigating a fatal crash at King George VI market on 3 October, where a speeding car struck a pedestrian after leaving the road; the driver died and other passengers were taken to the National Referral Hospital. Water & Health Equity: In Qalovoke village on Moli mainland, families say water shortages are disrupting cooking, hygiene, and even school schedules, with one nurse serving thousands from a rural health centre reliant on rainwater. Health System Management: A national review in Honiara is pushing to reduce reporting clutter in Solomon Islands health facilities, after findings showed heavy form-filling burdens and inconsistent data use. Climate & Health Risk: Pacific leaders, including Solomon Islands, are urging COP31 action to keep warming near 1.5°C, warning that higher temperatures mean worse sea-level rise and adaptation costs for low-lying communities. Environment Enforcement: In Kirakira, ECD is training law enforcement and provincial officers to enforce the Single-Use Plastic Ban Regulation 2023, aiming to improve compliance and coordination.
Maternal Health Upgrade: Solomon Islands’ Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre in Honiara will expand to full 24/7 services from 6 October, including continuous general outpatient care and low-risk delivery services, while high-risk cases continue to be referred to the National Referral Hospital. Heart Health Focus: World Heart Day in Honiara highlighted rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as serious but preventable, stressing early treatment of sore throats and follow-up to stop heart valve damage. Health Data Simplification: The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has started a national review of health indicators and reporting forms to reduce “reporting clutter” and ease the workload on health workers. Disaster Recovery with Health Impact: The National Disaster Council says SB$75 million has been allocated to rebuild about 1,300 homes destroyed or damaged by Cyclone Maila, with school buildings and health clinics included in the recovery plan. Climate Pressure on Health: Pacific leaders meeting ahead of COP31 warned COP can’t be a “talk shop,” as warming threatens sea levels, disasters, and the health risks facing low-lying islands. Water and Health Access: A report from Moli (Choiseul) describes how water shortages affect hygiene, child welfare, and access to rural health care.
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