According to the Bank’s website, the objective of this project is to improve the access and quality of primary healthcare in targeted areas in Solomon Islands.

The Engaging Communities to Improve Health Outcomes (ECHO) project, financed by a US$20 million IDA credit, aims to enhance access and quality of primary health care (PHC) in targeted areas of the Solomon Islands, addressing critical gaps in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), communicable diseases, and maternal and child health and nutrition (MCH-N). Through an integrated Community Health Worker (CHW) program piloted in Guadalcanal and Choiseul provinces, climate-resilient infrastructure upgrades to rural health clinics, enhanced supply chain management at national and provincial level, and interoperable digital health systems, the project strengthens PHC delivery to improve health outcomes, particularly for rural and underserved populations. Aligned with the Solomon Islands' National Development Strategy (2016-2035), National Health Strategic Plan (2022-2031) and the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework, ECHO fosters health system resilience, gender equity, and community engagement to achieve sustainable development impacts.

The Environmental Risk Rating has been evaluated as Moderate. While the project is expected to generate positive outcomes, there is potential for moderate adverse environmental impacts during the construction and operational phases of activities under components 1 and 2. Key potential environmental risks identified encompass construction related impacts associated with civil works including soil erosion and sedimentation in nearby water bodies, air pollution, noise pollution, and waste generation, . Operational risks encompass increases in wastewater generation, occupational health and safety (OHS) concerns for all healthcare workers including Community Healthcare Workers, and health care waste management during operation, all of which require appropriate managements. The magnitude of these impacts is anticipated to be site-specific and generally low to moderate, given the relatively small scale of individual construction and other construction related activities and operation period.

The Social risk rating is set at moderate. The civil works described in the project will involve renovations and where building have to be demolished, the construction will be done on existing site. In terms of the social risks identified, the project does not envisage acquiring land so therefore impact on customary land will be minimal, however land access may need to be assessed in provincial towns, where contractors require access to the building site via an alternative route that may potentially be on customary land, this was previously the case under SI COVID19.

Total Project Cost: US$ 20.00 million
IDA Credit: US$ 20.00 million

CONTACT POINT - World Bank

Task Team Leader: Fatimah Ajus
Title: Senior Health Specialist
Email: fmustapha@worldbank.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

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ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE WORLD BANK

The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint