Scabies Control Breakthrough: A world-first national mass drug administration using ivermectin has sharply cut scabies and related skin infections in Solomon Islands and Fiji, with results showing coordinated treatment at scale can control the disease even where health resources are limited. Mining Disaster & Health Response: Search and recovery continues after a landslide at the Chinese-owned Gold Ridge gold mine near Honiara, with local reports fearing at least 10 deaths and the National Referral Hospital preparing to receive fatalities. Tobacco Control Training: Solomon Islands’ Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office launched its 2026 Tobacco Control training via monthly webinars, drawing 900+ tobacco control professionals across the WHO Western Pacific region, including Solomon Islands. Disaster-Ready Health Workers: Makira-Ulawa health workers received climate change and health disaster risk management training to build local action plans and standard operating procedures for extreme weather and disease outbreaks. Hazardous Waste Strategy: MECDM moved to strengthen hazardous waste management with a draft national strategy and action plan workshop, aiming to improve how hazardous chemicals are transported, treated, and disposed of. Health System Focus on Chronic Burden: A wider study warns that longer life expectancy isn’t automatically “healthy” life expectancy, pushing health systems to improve quality of extra years, not just extend lifespan.