Hospital upgrades in Malaita: Japan’s JICA has officially handed over the upgraded Kilu’ufi Hospital in Auki, a major Malaita health milestone with new outpatient and emergency services, operating theatre, central sterile services, birthing suite, imaging and pharmacy—aimed at reducing referrals and strengthening general hospital care. Local health system strain: Malaita Premier Elijah Asilaua used the handover to flag gaps across the province, saying 55% of health facilities had no renovation in five years and only 39% of patients show improvement after treatment. Water access support: In Tasimboko Ward (Guadalcanal), the New Zealand High Commission handed over 39 water tanks to help ease ongoing drinking-water shortages for about 2,000 people across 30+ villages. Tobacco control push: On World No Tobacco Day, Solomon Islands’ Health Minister warned against tobacco industry tactics and said e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine products are not cessation tools, alongside plans to review the Tobacco Act and strengthen enforcement. Health planning training: A five-day workshop in Honiara is building capacity for the Provincial Healthy Settings advocacy initiative, with malaria supply and drug availability highlighted as key challenges. El Niño health and nutrition risk: The UN is preparing up to US$100m in emergency funding via CERF to support early action for worsening El Niño impacts, including health and nutrition needs across the Pacific. Community health infrastructure (supporting services): The Kilufi upgrade coverage also notes improvements across emergency, OPD, labour ward, surgical theatre, sterilising, pharmacy and radiology.