FIVE of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) both public and medical officers have completed the Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarship on Public Health Management Pacific 2025.
These health officers are; Dr Jimmy Inikalo, medical officer, Central Islands Province (CIP), Claudence Manelegu Pade, Non-Communicable Disease public officer, Honiara City Council (HCC), Charlie N Iroófa, Vector Borne Disease public officer, Guadalcanal Province, Rifkin Coxy, Allied Health, Isabel Province and Dr Lawrence Diau, Provincial Health Director, Honiara City Council.
The Public Health Management training aimed to equip participants to acquire knowledge that will enable them to;
Support the strengthening of health systems and health public policy
Lead strategically and with influence in the public sector field and draw on principles of stewardship
Promote principles of stewardship – good governance, ethics, integrity and transparency – in professional work and drawing on good practice examples drawn from New Zealand and the Pacific.
Support the development of more effective and inclusive systems of local and national governance.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Dr Lawrence Diau, Health Director, Honiara City Council stated the training has provided them with the opportunity to discuss and share with other Pacific Islands colleagues about the issues affecting each country health systems. The opportunity to experience the environment at Auckland and being able to witness some of the key health issues there.
He described the training as vital because it gives them the opportunity to pursue further engagement to look at ways and find solutions to address some of our key health issues. “It highlights one of the key areas in research within our health sector which will have a significant impact on our health and well-being of our country”.
He concluded that it is a privilege to be of the Manaaki Scholarship and a Manaaki Scholar.
“It has opened doors for us to explore and learn more about the public health issues of our region and the country. Therefore, I would encourage others to apply for it whenever the opportunity is available”, said Dr Diau.
