Solomon Islands High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Anthony Makabo, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields of Health and Medicine with the Union Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava.
The signing ceremony, held on July 3, 2025, took place at Nirman Bhawan, the headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi.
On welcoming the High Commissioner, the Union Secretary emphasized that the signing of this MOU represents a significant step forward in the cordial friendly relations between India, Solomon Islands, and one that will enhance the levels of cooperation between our two esteemed Governments’ and respective Health Ministries.
The High Commissioner, H.E Anthony Makabo also took the opportunity to convey on behalf of the good people and Government of Solomon Islands, heartfelt appreciation to the Government of India, for the on-going commitment towards the promotion of human resource development in the fields of education, the various financial support grants bestowed to Solomon Islands over the past years and more so, the realization of the need for an advanced cooperation in the sectors of health and medicine, promoting capacity and capability in health.
The High Commissioner further mentioned that such gesture undeniably portrays the comprehensive vision of the Government of India in promoting economic, social and healthcare development in partner countries like Solomon Islands. For Solomon Islands, healthcare advancement is one of the Government’s key priority goals, being a Small Island Developing State. Therefore, the full execution of such arrangement will no doubt strengthen the country’s healthcare system and healthcare service delivery towards improving health outcomes, while at the same time, complimenting the Government’s push towards the fulfilment of this national priority, said H.E Anthony Makabo.
Moving forward, both sides anticipate full implementation of the subsequent areas of cooperation as stipulated under the MOU, which includes.
- Exchanges and capacity building of doctors, nurses and health care professionals.
- Medical valued travel including international and oversea referrals to India.
- Cooperation in areas on maternal health, child health and nutrition.
- The prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of communicable diseases
- And other areas that will be mutually agreed upon between the respective Health Ministries and their subordinate institutions moving forward.
The High Commissioner reiterated that the formalization of this milestone MOU will not only promote the shared ambition for healthcare facility developments, but it will be the basis for a more integrated approach to address the common global challenges faced within the health, medical and pharmaceutical sector. His Excellency, went on to state that this enhanced collaboration, not only will it solidify the India – Solomon Islands bilateral outlook, but also it will advance the healthcare service delivery systems of Solomon Islands, for which, Solomon Islands is very grateful.
This is the second health related MOU to be formalized between the Government of India and Solomon Islands. The first giving recognition to India IP, which will allow Solomon Islands to procure pharmaceuticals from India, was signed in August of 2024 in Honiara.
