BY TONY IROGA
The Minister for Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Morris Toiraena says skin diseases remain a major public health concern in Solomon Islands despite ongoing efforts to improve skin health services.
Speaking during the country’s first official World Skin Health Day celebration at HCC Youth Hub Outdoor court in Honiara this week, Mr Toiraena urged Solomon Islanders to seek early treatment for skin diseases and help reduce stigma.
MHMS together with the World Health Organization (WHO), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the World Scabies Programme, marked the day under the theme “Better Knowledge for Better Skin Health”, a MHMS statement this week said.
Toiraena said despite the progress we have made, skin diseases remain a significant public health challenge.
He described the celebration as a historic milestone, saying it was the first official World Skin Health Day observed in Solomon Islands.
Toiraena said healthy skin is essential for good health and wellbeing and warned that climate change is creating new skin health challenges.
He encourages people to seek early treatment for common skin diseases such as scabies, yaws, leprosy, eczema, and psoriasis, adding that specialist dermatology services are available at the National Referral Hospital while provincial services are being strengthened.
DFAT First Secretary for Health, Jemma Thomson also congratulated the ministry on the work of its Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit and reaffirmed Australia’s continued support for the programme.
WHO Representative to Solomon Islands Dr Howard Sobel praised the ministry’s leadership in improving access to skin health services in Solomon Islands.
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