The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) of the Solomon Islands is actively seeking collaboration with Indian Universities and Hospitals to train its health workforce.
This initiative aims to provide comprehensive training opportunities for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, health administrators, and biotechnicians.
To further this mission, a four-member Solomon Islands Health delegation embarked on a significant journey to Bangalore, India, on the 3rd of April. The delegation was led by Dr. Gregory Jilini, Deputy Secretary Health Care, MHMS and Chair of the Medical Dental Board; Dr George Malefoasi, CEO National Referral Hospital; Dr Rooney Jagilly, Head of Surgical Department, National Referral Hospital; and Dr Titus Nasi, Chair of NRH Medical Training Committee and Head of Pediatric Department NRH.
The primary goal of the MHMS delegation’s visit was to meet with representatives from four esteemed medical universities and their affiliated hospitals in Bangalore. This visit was a culmination of over six months of virtual meetings, consultations and discussions, which established the groundworks for in-person, bilateral engagements with the medical institutions
The formal invitation that was extended to the Ministry of Health and NRH officials was instrumental in facilitating the delegation’s travel to India. The meetings aimed to discuss and finalize the possibilities of sending Solomon Islands health workers to India for postgraduate specialist training programs.
Dr Gregory Jilini, Deputy Secretary Health Care and team lead of the travel mission stated, “this collaborative effort underscores the commitment of the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Health and Medical Services to enhance the skills and knowledge of its healthcare workforce.”
“By collaborating and partnering with prominent Indian medical institutions, the MHMS hopes to elevate the standard of healthcare available to the people of the Solomon Islands, ensuring that health workers receive the specialized training necessary to address the diverse medical needs of our population”, said Dr Jilini.
Overall, the delegation’s visit represents a significant step towards achieving this goal, marking the beginning of a promising partnership between the Solomon Islands and Indian medical institutions.
Meanwhile, the MOU Health Cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Health of Indian, that is facilitated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is scheduled to be signed off later this year.
