The Western Provincial Government (WPG), through its Health Department, has welcomed the implementation of the Demand for Generation of Immunisation Project (DGIP) by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Western Province.
Mr. Tonawane Charles, Community Health Nursing Consultant (CHNC) of the Western Provincial Health Department, highlighted this during the DGIP’s second half-day Orientation and Information Sharing session held at the Women Resource Centre (WRC) Conference Room in Gizo on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
ADRA DGIP Project Manager Sharon Kele and Communication/Monitoring Officer Denver Newter facilitated the session.
It which was attended by representatives from the Western Provincial Health Government, EPI Coordinator in Western Province, representatives from the SDA Sub-Region, Health Promotion representatives, Medison Medical Team, and 12 Community Champions from South Vela, Kolobangara, and Roviana Lagoon.
The first orientation and information-sharing session was taking place in Honiara on March 11, 2025, at the Kukum SDA Church Dorcas Hall. DGIP was funded by UNICEF and implemented by ADRA Solomon Islands.
The project commenced on November 22, 2024, and is set to conclude on October 31, 2025.
The project aims to strengthen coordination and capacity-building among healthcare workers while increasing immunisation awareness in communities across the Western Province.
Targeted locations are at South Vela La Vela, Kolobangara Island, and Roviana Lagoon.
However, Mr. Charles has expressed his appreciation on half of his office for ADRA and the involvement of community champions in implementing the immunisation program in the Western Province.
“I am very happy that ADRA, through its twelve community champions across the targeted sites, will assist our nurses in spreading immunisation awareness”
“Clinics and Area Health Centres (AHC) have faced funding challenges in reaching remote areas for this immunisation program, so this initiative is a great help for us ,” he stated.
He also extended his gratitude to ADRA and UNICEF for supporting the program and ensuring immunisation awareness reaches the islands.
EPI Nursing Officer in Western Province, Arthur Keremama, also expressed his excitement about the program implantation that community engagement is a crucial aspect of the project.
“If we implement this program effectively across the targeted sites and reach remote areas, I believe we will see a significant improvement in immunisation rates next year, particularly among children,” Mr. Keremama said.
He urged community members to take ownership of the program and spread awareness within their churches and communities.
“This work is now in our hands. We must share the message of immunisation to protect our children and ensure a healthy future for our villages and communities,” he added.
DGIP Project Manager Mrs Kele also expressed appreciation for the participants.
“I want to thank everyone for attending this important session. It is through discussions like these that we can share ideas on how ADRA can effectively implement this program across the targeted islands in Western Province”
“We cannot do this alone—we need your help so that, together, we can carry out this immunisation program and protect our young generations, especially girls, from preventable diseases,” Mrs Kele added.
However, the DGIP team will work closely with the Immunisation Coordinator of the Western Provincial Health Government to commence immunisation awareness campaigns in the targeted areas.
– ADRA
