A second Solomon Islands Medical Assistance Team (SolMAT) was deployed today to Choiseul Province to reinforce the ongoing health response following the destruction by Tropical Cyclone Maila. The deployment comes as health authorities required surge human resources capacity and technical support to prevent the spread of infectious disease among affected and displaced communities.
While SolMAT Team 1 is actively deployed in Western Province since 15 April to support frontline health services, the emerging situation in Choiseul Province demands an equally urgent and structured response. Initial assessments conducted by the Choiseul Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) showed disruption to health service delivery, damage to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, and medical supply shortages at clinics.
The damage to WASH infrastructure poses one of the most immediate threats to public health. Contaminated water sources, and inadequate sanitation facilities significantly increase the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks, including acute watery diarrhoea and other intestine-related illnesses. In addition, stagnant water resulting from flooding creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, raising the risk of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria in already vulnerable communities.
The displaced communities to be housed in schools, can further increase health risks through overcrowding. These conditions are contributing to the rapid spread of acute respiratory infections and create conditions in which vaccine-preventable diseases can re-emerge.
Critically, health workers themselves have not been spared by the cyclone. Many frontline health staff in Choiseul Province have been personally affected by the disaster. SolMAT Team 2 will directly address this human resource gap, enabling the continuation of essential health services in affected communities.
/countries/solomon-islands/a6d5c66d-e289-481e-8737-0e960dff8e89.jpg?sfvrsn=e8e04ef4_3 "a6d5c66d-e289-481e-8737-0e960dff8e89")
SolMAT Team 2 members at the airport. Photo: WHO / C. Sabino
SolMAT Team 2 brings together a multidisciplinary group of trained emergency health responders with expertise in clinical care, nursing, pharmacy, public health, WASH, psychosocial support, risk communication, and logistics.
The deployment of SolMAT Team 2 is coordinated through the National Health Emergency Operations Centre (NHEOC), operating under the national Incident Management System (IMS) activated for the TC Maila response. The NHEOC serves as the central coordination hub for the health sector, maintaining real-time linkages with the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centres in both Western Province and Choiseul Province, as well as with the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) and humanitarian partners.
/countries/solomon-islands/13b81a44-c251-40ea-988f-f22a5a061bbd.jpg?sfvrsn=d4c2113c_3 "13b81a44-c251-40ea-988f-f22a5a061bbd")
WHO, through its global EMT initiative, has been instrumental in building the capacity of Solomon Islands’ emergency responders through the SolMAT. Photo: WHO / G. Theocharopoulos
Disease surveillance and outbreak risk monitoring are being conducted through the MHMS Public Health Emergency Surveillance Unit (PHESU). Surveillance focal points at the provincial level are providing daily updates to PHESU and NHEOC, enabling early detection and rapid response to any emerging health threats.
Disease surveillance and outbreak risk monitoring are being conducted through the MHMS Public Health Emergency Surveillance Unit (PHESU). Surveillance focal points at the provincial level are providing daily updates to PHESU and NHEOC, enabling early detection and rapid response to any emerging health threats.
The NHEOC Risk Communication team is actively supporting provincial risk communication counterparts, providing community messaging tools and assessment frameworks designed to promote health-seeking behavior and hygiene practices during the emergency.
Coordination with NDMO for logistics and transportation to affected provinces continues to be a priority to ensure that both SolMAT teams are fully supported in the field.
The MHMS reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the health needs of all communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila are met. The health system’s capacity to mobilize a second specialized emergency medical team reflects both the importance of the ongoing situation and the strength of the partnerships that make such a rapid and coordinated response possible.