ADRA introduces NCD project to NCD National Coordinator
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has met with the National Coordinator of the Non-Communicable Diseases in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Ms. Nevalyn Laesango, to introduce a new NCD project.
The main purpose of the meeting held last Tuesday was to build relationships and gather key NCD-related information in preparation for the official launching of the new project titled “Bridge to Better Health”.
During the meeting International Partnership Programme Manager from ADRA Australia, Mr. Gabriel Sembrano shared details about the project and explained ADRA’s vision for its implementation in the Solomon Islands.
“This NCD project is all about lifestyle. It aims to address lifestyle-related diseases, which are some of the biggest health issues across the Pacific, including here in the Solomon Islands,” Mr. Sembrano said.
He said the same project is currently being implemented in Fiji, and ADRA Australia plans to bring a similar model to the Solomon Islands through a partnership with ADRA Solomon Islands later this year.
“This NCD project is all about lifestyle. It aims to address lifestyle-related diseases, which are some of the biggest health issues across the Pacific, including here in the Solomon Islands,” Mr. Sembrano said.
“We’ll aim to provide technical guidance and support to help people make positive lifestyle changes, including diet and overall health,” he said.
Mr. Sembrano further explained that the approach will be like the successful model used by ADRA Australia currently implemented in Fiji.
“We’ve seen many success stories from Fiji, and we believe this project has great potential here in Solomon Island as well.
“Diabetes is like a tidal wave across the Pacific, and it’s a leading cause of death in the Solomon Islands and we’ll pilot this NCD project here.
“The focus of this project will be on lifestyle diseases, particularly diabetes. ADRA will not be involved in direct medical intervention but will target people at risk and those already living with diabetes, he added.
ADRA Australia is also looking to expand the project to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Samoa, but chose to begin in the Solomon Islands due to the strong partnership already established with ADRA Solomon Islands.
Preparations are already underway, and ADRA Australia and ADRA Solomon Islands are currently working on finalizing project details. An initial health assessment will soon be carried out to gather data on the current NCD situation in the country.
“This assessment will guide the planning process. It will help us determine where we will operate, who the key stakeholders are, what the budget will look like, and who should be involved in the project design.
“The initiative is in place to get a clear picture as the co-design for the portfolio will start in May, and the full project is expected to be launched in July 2025,” Mr. Sembrano said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nevalyn Laesango expressed her appreciation and welcomed this initiative which fell in line as one of government priorities and expressed her support for ADRA’s initiative.
“I am happy with this proposed NCD project and would like to thank ADRA for introducing it in the Solomon Islands.
“I also appreciate the inclusion of the Sanitarium approach. This is something new for us, and it’s important because diet is one of our biggest challenges in Solomon Islands.
“Once this project begins, it will be a positive step forward in promoting healthy lifestyles. It’s encouraging to see a focus on both risk factors and disease management.
“Thank you, ADRA, for sharing your plans—we are looking forward to working closely with you on this important initiative,” she concluded.
ADRA is the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church—part of the 21.9-million strong Adventist community, with hundreds of thousands of churches globally and the world’s largest integrated healthcare and education network.
ADRA delivers relief and development assistance to individuals in more than 120 countries—regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or religious association.
By partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments, ADRA can deliver culturally relevant programs and build local capability for sustainable change.
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ADRA Solomon Islands