About WHO in Solomon Islands

About WHO in Solomon Islands

The World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. Working at three levels in the Organization (global, regional and country), more than 7000 WHO staff worldwide collaborate with the governments of 194 Member States and other partners to achieve the WHO founding vision of the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people.

The Western Pacific Region

The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than one quarter of the world’s population, stretching over more than one third of the distance around the globe. In all, more than 600 WHO staff work in 15 country offices and the Regional Office in Manila, Philippines, to support Member States in achieving better health outcomes for the Region’s nearly 1.9 billion people in 37 countries and areas.

Tailored support for the Pacific

In 2010 the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office established the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) in Suva, Fiji to coordinate and provide timely, tailored support and backstopping to 21 Pacific Island countries and areas. The Division also includes six other offices in the Pacific; the Country Offices in Samoa and the Solomon Islands and Country Liaison Offices in Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga and Vanuatu. Working together as a Division, these offices provide support to: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.

The Division’s work spans five main areas of work and is delivered in close collaboration with Pacific governments, other UN agencies, development partners, donors, and non-governmental organisations to achieve better health outcomes for Pacific Island communities.

 

WHO History

In May 1953, the Solomon Islands (formerly British Solomon Islands Protectorate) was assigned to the Western Pacific Region at the Sixth World Health Assembly ''without prejudice to any questions regarding sovereignty'' as an area. On 7 July 1979, Solomon Islands became a self-governing, independent state within the British Commonwealth. It joined WHO on 4 April 1983 as a Member State.

A WHO Country Liaison Officer was designated in March 1981. The office was upgraded to a WHO Representative Office in 2012.

 

 

Contact WHO

WHO Representative in the Solomon Islands:
Dr Howard L Sobel

Office address:
Ministry of Health Bldg. Chinatown Honiara,Solomon Islands

Postal address:
World Health Organization P.O. Box 22 Honiara, Solomon Islands

Telephone number:
+677 23406, 20016
+677 22053 (direct line)
+677 94129 (mobile)

Fax number:
+677 21344

Office hours:
08.00 - 12.00 13.00 - 16.30 (Monday to Friday))

Email:
wpslbwr@who.int

Ministry of Health

Address:
Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Chinatown P.O. Box 349, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Telephone number:
+677 20 830

Email:
pshealth@pmc.gov.sb