Overview

As Solomon Islands' largest development partner in the health sector, Australia is supporting a focus on funding for, and policy dialogue regarding, broader health system priorities. Australia worked closely with Solomon Islands to secure early and equitable access to a COVID-19 vaccine and, through the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security, extended support to Pacific health ministries – including Solomon Islands' – in the areas of infection prevention and control, training for field epidemiology, vector control and surveillance, and the deployment of health security technical resources, as required.

Australia is providing critical support for better Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, including in health care settings. As climate change can compound health challenges through increased risk of disease, disaster injury and psychosocial issues, health systems strengthening will incorporate climate change and disaster resilience measures.

Related initiatives

Health Sector Support Program – Phase 3

Up to $116 million, 2016-2024

Australia's Health Sector Support Program (HSSP3) is a nine-year, $116 million initiative to support the Solomon Islands Government to deliver health services across the country that meet the needs of communities. Guided by Solomon Islands’ National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2031 and its priorities, HSSP3 funds malaria and other disease control, maternal and child health activities, essential medicine supply as well as access to clean water, basic sanitation and hygiene awareness. Through targeted financing and advisory assistance, HSSP3 is helping increase management capacity and the financial sustainability of the public health system. A key aspect to HSSP3 is funding linked to the achievement of performance benchmarks, which provides strong financial incentives for better health outcomes and health system management. In 2020, HSSP3's established budget support mechanism enabled Australia to quickly pivot support to the Australian Government's efforts in COVID-19 preparedness and response activities, through existing and additional funding.