WHO Multimedia Library - In the Solomon Islands, WHO recognised that health systems needed to develop to accommodate a rise in noncommunicable diseases or NCDs in the region. Previously, health programs were mostly designed t

Reference ID U275CZZ

Headline Solomon Islands: healthy lifestyle and NCDs

Description Provincial NCD coordinator Virginia at the Tulagi Outpatient Clinic in Solomon Islands on 5 March 2021. Since there is often no doctor in the central province where Virginia works, she is often the main contact via phone for the hospital in Honiara, a two-hour boat ride from Tulagi.
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In Solomon Islands, WHO recognised that health systems needed to develop to accommodate a rise in noncommunicable diseases or NCDs in the region. Previously, health programs were mostly designed to treat patients with acute conditions or diagnosis. However, the increase of NCDs like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases pose a grave threat to regional and national health and development. Working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health and the provincial governments, WHO helped design a program that would respond to the rise in NCDs in the region. The program aims to provide better overall care for patients, including screenings as well as prevention and treatment of NCDs, primarily cardiovascular diseases related to diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc.

Known as the PEN (Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions) program, this approach considers the patient's whole being and lifestyle, not just specific ailments, and emphasises wellness and prevention activities. Additionally, WHO promotes integration of multiple health services, and the PEN program integrates TB (Tuberculosis) screenings as it screens for NCDs.

The PEN program was started at WHO headquarters in Honiara but is now led by provincial NCD coordinators who have taken ownership of the program. Virginia Legaile, based in Tulagi (about a 1.5 hour boat ride from Honiara), is one of these provincial NCD coordinators. She previously worked as a nurse in an outpatient clinic, but after embracing the NCD screening of patients that was incorporated as part of the PEN program, the medical director increased her hours to see NCD patients from one to five days a week. Virginia is one of twelve NCD Coordinators across the country who, along with her peers, has also started the first paper medical file system in the entire country.

Asset date 03/05/2021

Country, area, WHO office Solomon Islands

City Tulagi

WHO Region WPRO

Consent Yes

File size 3.19 MB

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Public

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