By BEN BILUA
Gizo
RANONGGA Island has been crowned the cleanest island in Western Province, thanks to its outstanding achievements in sanitation and community health efforts.
This recognition comes as the island now boasts the highest number of communities declared No Open Defecation (NOD) in the province.
According to ADRA representative Sharon Dalileke Kele, the recent launch of four additional NOD communities has raised Ranongga’s total number to 12.
“Several more communities are still in the implementation phase and will soon be declared NOD,” she said.
Kele acknowledged the strong collaboration between ADRA, donor partners, the Western Provincial Government, and the Western Provincial Health Authority in supporting hygiene and sanitation projects across the island.
She also praised the commitment and perseverance of officers working in the field.
“The task is not easy when it comes to awareness and convincing communities to change their lifestyle. “But credit goes to the hardworking officers and the community leaders, women, and youths who have supported this initiative,” Kele said.
She encouraged other communities to follow Ranongga’s example, emphasising the importance of maintaining healthy community environments to prevent disease.
Western Province continues to lead the way in the NOD program nationally. The current Provincial Government has prioritised health, water, and sanitation initiatives as part of its broader strategy to enhance public health and community wellbeing.
Under its health policy, the Western Provincial Government remains committed to promoting clean, safe, and healthy environments in villages—an objective aligned with the National Health Strategic goal of improving sanitation and reducing the spread of preventable diseases.
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