Solomon Islands is currently working towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. To achieve the targets for the reduction of child mortality, which forms MDG 4, Solomon Islands should reduce under-five deaths per 1,000 live births to 14, and increase measles immunisation to 100 per cent by 2015. In 2011, under-five mortality stood at 31 deaths per 1,000 live births, and measles immunisation at 85 per cent. While the level of immunisation has not yet reached 100 per cent, the country had no recorded cases of measles in 2008. Solomon Islands will need to make efforts to increase the rate of decline for under-five mortality if the country is to meet its target by 2015.
The global MDG 5 target for maternal health is to reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth by threequarters between 1990 and 2015. When applying this target to Solomon Islands, the maternal mortality should fall to 38 cases per 100,000 live births. In the period 2007-10 Solomon Islands reported a maternal mortality rate of 150 deaths per 100,000 live births. In 2010 this figure was estimated at 93 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by UN agencies/World Bank. Consequently, the target is unlikely to be achieved by 2015. Part of the goal also stipulates that 100 per cent of births must be attended by a skilled health professional. In the period 2007-12 this figure stood at 86 per cent, and so this target may be achieved if significant progress is made.
MDG 6 aims for a reduction in the prevalence of HIV, malaria and other diseases. There is not enough information from international agencies to confirm the country’s progress on this goal for HIV/AIDS. Estimated mortality (when mortality data excludes cases co-morbid with HIV) from TB fell significantly in the period 1990-2012. There was a sharp decrease in malaria deaths in the period 2009-11. Solomon Islands is making progress towards achieving the targets set out under MDG 6, however, work is needed on several fronts if the country is to fully achieve this goal.
In 2013, at the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) Conference, the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Solomon Islands, Charles Sigoto, called on World Health Orgainzation and other international partners to continue to assist Solomon Islands towards attainment of the health MDGs, and in the post-MDG timeframe. The main themes discussed at the WHA Conference were continued monitoring of the Millennium Development Goals and working towards a post-2015 development agenda. Several issues in Solomon Islands were highlighted as needing continued work, including targets for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, influenza preparedness and universal health coverage.
