Five rural health clinics in Solomon Islands are better equipped to keep safe water flowing after community members received training in water tank repairs, maintenance and hygiene.
The week-long training was delivered by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Solomon Islands, with support from World Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI).
Conducted from October 8 to 15 under ADRA’s Rehabilitation of Rainwater Catchment System Project, the training was funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership. It aimed to equip clinic health committees and community representatives with practical skills to repair and maintain water tanks, helping sustain safe and reliable water supplies for essential health services.
The training took place at Tapurai and Lengana clinics on Simbo Island, Keigol and Korovuku clinics on Ranongga Island, and Vanga Clinic on Kolobangara Island. Approximately 16 participants from each clinic attended, including clinic health committee representatives, women, young people, people with disabilities and other community members.
Facilitated by staff from the Environmental Health Division of the Western Provincial Government, the training combined practical water tank maintenance with WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) awareness.
Access to safe and reliable water is essential to the daily operation of rural health facilities, supporting hygiene, infection prevention and the delivery of health services. By strengthening the knowledge and skills of clinic committees and surrounding communities, the initiative promotes local ownership and responsibility for maintaining water infrastructure beyond the project implementation period.
Clery Sene, chairman of Tapurai Clinic, welcomed the training, saying it had helped the community better understand how to maintain the clinic’s water tank and protect its water supply.
“Our community will make sure we look after this water tank and work together to keep it in good condition for the benefit of our clinic. We are the people who use this clinic, so it is our responsibility to care for the facilities provided for us,” Mr Sene said.
Paul Komaasia, a registered nurse at Vanga Clinic, highlighted the importance of water to the continued delivery of health services.
“We might look at this water tank as something small and think it is not very important, but it plays a significant role in the daily operation of our clinic,” he said.
“Without water, the clinic would not be able to continue providing its services. Therefore, this training is important for all of us. We must work together to ensure that our clinic facilities, especially the water tank, are properly maintained to support the continued delivery of health services.”
