Nearly 50 healthcare workers from various districts in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, recently participated in a series of workshops aimed at emphasizing and reinforcing the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), alongside infection prevention and control (IPC), particularly within healthcare facilities.
The workshops, led by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), sought to remind participants of their critical role as implementers and promoters of WASH and IPC practices in healthcare settings, ensuring consistent compliance with these standards.
During a visit to Malaita Province’s Health Director, Dr. David Danitofea, Ms. Ethel Mapolu, Director of Environmental Health at the Ministry of Health, expressed her satisfaction with the active engagement of all groups in community efforts to sustain healthcare facilities. She emphasized the importance of healthcare workers meeting at least the minimum standards of water, sanitation, hygiene, and infection prevention. Ms. Mapolu also acknowledged KOICA and WHO for their active support in ensuring the workshops’ success.
WHO’s Technical Officer for Water, Sanitation, and Environmental Health, Mr. Boniswa Dladla, stated that the WASH and IPC training forms a vital component of improving healthcare facility water and sanitation services. The training enhances healthcare workers’ understanding of their role in advancing these services. He further explained that community modules developed for the training were based on institutional assessments highlighting the impact of effective community involvement on the health of healthcare facilities.
Healthcare workers who attended the sessions found them invaluable. Ms. Mei Kaireseka, a clinical nurse and midwife at Malu’u Health Clinic, said the workshops significantly improved her knowledge of WASH and IPC, especially in ensuring safe deliveries and immunizations. She expressed a strong commitment to applying what she learned upon returning to her clinic and called for more frequent training to keep knowledge up to date. Mei also noted that the clinic had already developed plans to address infrastructure challenges, such as fixing leaking taps and broken toilets, by consulting plumbers and carpenters.
Registered nurse Lee Liosulia, also from Malu’u clinic, highlighted the importance of proper waste segregation, a practice he intends to implement after learning about it during the workshop. Previously, all waste, including medical waste, was disposed of in a single container. He emphasized that WASH and IPC are essential to protecting both healthcare workers and patients from infections and expressed eagerness to share the knowledge with his colleagues.
The workshops also included demonstrations of correct handwashing techniques, underscoring WASH and IPC as fundamental pillars of public health.
In addition, KOICA and WHO supported the government by conducting data quality assessments aligned with the Solomon Islands’ digital health development goals. This effort aims to harness digital technologies to transform the national health system and improve population health and well-being.
Representatives from WHO and the Ministry of Health visited rural health centers in Talakali, Fauabu, and Gwaunooa to inspect prenatal and postnatal care services, assess the reliability of cold chain storage for vaccines, and verify the testing for mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
WHO extended its gratitude to KOICA for its valuable contributions to this initiative.
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