Solomon Islands and WHO: Working together to strengthen health security

Working with Member States, the World Health Organization (WHO) helps ensure the world is prepared to respond to these threats through the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), an overarching legal framework that defines countries’ rights and obligations in managing public health risks, events, and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders. 

The States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR) is a mandatory tool under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) to evaluate national capacities for health emergency preparedness and response. States Parties are required to submit their SPAR reports by 28 February each year to WHO for inclusion in the World Health Assembly report. Solomon Islands submitted their last SPAR report in December 2024, with an average capacity score of 50%.

The IHR Annual Self-Assessment workshop, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), and participation from other sectors, is evidence of the Government’s response to these threats and its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every Solomon Islander.

“We must be ready for the next health emergency,” said Dr Nemia Bainivalu, Deputy Secretary for Health Improvement/Public Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS). “Whether it will be from an infectious disease, chemical contamination, radiation exposure, or a foodborne illness, being prepared for any uncertainty makes our multisectoral approach to dealing with emergencies essential.”

“As the world we live in, and consequently our health, faces threats from multiple sources, everyone's full engagement in this workshop becomes even more important. At WHO, we have been working with our Member States to ensure that the world we all share is safe now and into the future. Preparing for the next pandemic is a key consideration for us and every country,” said Mr Georgios Theocharopoulos, WHO Team Lead and Technical Officer in the WHO Representative Office in Solomon Islands. 

Attended by national experts from 15 technical areas, representatives from MHMS and line ministries, and points of entry such as air, land, and sea passages for international entry or exit in a country, the workshop on SPAR emphasizes the importance of health emergency preparedness and the collaborative, multi-stakeholder efforts to improve the public health systems' response to health emergencies, including to public health events of international concern and pandemics. The workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of IHR national focal points, finalize the SPAR report for the year 2025, and address challenges in completing the SPAR.

Through SPAR, countries have a vital mechanism for tracking progress, identifying gaps, and fostering collaboration to enhance global health security and ensure effective responses to public health emergencies. Photo: WHO / Ruel Serrano

SPAR is an assessment that helps identify strengths and challenges in areas such as surveillance, laboratory, risk communication, financing, zoonotic diseases, chemical events, border health at PoE, and health emergency management capacities. Through SPAR, countries have a vital mechanism for tracking progress, identifying gaps, and fostering collaboration to enhance global health security and ensure effective responses to public health emergencies. 

Speaking about the exercise, Dr Bainivalu said: “It asks for good reflection and an honest perception of where we are in terms of IHR.” He added: “Getting true reflection from other partners on how we are truly performing is one of the manifold benefits, as well as looking at the progression of where we’re at. And you also get feedback on where sectors are in terms of what needs to be improved, whether it’s from within the health sector or from the other sectors that we engage with.” 

Most importantly, the exercise helped participants identify areas for improvement. Dr Nemia said that chemical emergencies and radiation are areas that need attention in terms of legislation and policy. The exercise helped them identify other partners they need to engage with, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, of which the Solomon Islands is not a member. Dr Nemia said this is an opportunity to engage and get technical support. 

The Director of Immigration, Mr Chris Akosawa, said under the Immigration Act, they have a provision for health. This provision, though, needs to be expanded to include IHR implementation in PoE to further strengthen border health and health security. He also said that border agents at PoE need to align policies with security, customs, and health. He added that gaps in legislation and information sharing among other sectors are a challenge. 

 “Having a multisectoral approach is very useful. We identify our respective challenges, and we can address them together using IHR,” said Mr Akosawa. “WHO brought us together for this exercise to help government agencies to coordinate our efforts. This is especially important for us in immigration, where our work is cross-cutting,” he said.