In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, zoonotic diseases, and natural or man-made disasters, the Solomon Islands is taking significant steps to strengthen its health security through collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The country works under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), which provide a legal framework for managing public health risks and emergencies that could cross borders. The States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR) is a key tool under IHR to evaluate national capacities for health emergency preparedness and response, and the Solomon Islands submitted its last SPAR report in December 2024, achieving an average capacity score of 50%.
To improve readiness, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), supported by WHO, conducted the IHR Annual Self-Assessment workshop, bringing together national experts, representatives from line ministries, and points of entry including air, land, and sea crossings. The workshop emphasized multisectoral collaboration as essential for addressing potential threats such as infectious disease outbreaks, chemical contamination, radiation exposure, and foodborne illnesses. Participants reviewed the country’s current capacities, finalized the SPAR report for 2025, and identified priority areas for improvement, including chemical and radiation emergencies, legislative gaps, and coordination among sectors like immigration, customs, and health.
The SPAR exercise allows the Solomon Islands to track progress, identify strengths and weaknesses across surveillance, laboratory systems, risk communication, zoonotic disease management, border health, and emergency response. It also fosters engagement with international partners and technical agencies, creating opportunities for capacity-building and stronger alignment with global health security standards. By adopting a multisectoral approach, the Solomon Islands is enhancing coordination, improving public health system readiness, and reinforcing national and border health security to better respond to emergencies and potential pandemics.
