UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) jointly conducted a one-day Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) training in Majuro for 45 frontline health workers. The training aimed to strengthen communication of key Early Childhood Development (ECD) messages and improve maternal and child health and nutrition outcomes across the Marshall Islands.

Participants represented a range of essential services, including prenatal and postnatal care, maternal and child health, immunization, health promotion, non-communicable disease prevention, and Well Child Clinics.

The interactive session emphasized empathy, active listening, and practical communication techniques—reinforcing the critical role of health workers in promoting key ECD behaviors and supporting families with care and compassion. Through demonstrations and role-plays, participants practiced interpersonal communication skills that strengthen trust and relationships with communities.

These efforts align with the national ECD SBCC strategy, which seeks to equip frontline health teams with key ECD messages and integrate them into everyday health service delivery across all levels of care.

The training also highlighted how social protection programs—such as Enra, the Universal Basic Income (UBI) pilot, and Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT)—support families to adopt key ECD behaviors, including timely antenatal visits, child health checkups, immunizations, and preschool attendance, ensuring every child gets the best start in life.

Health workers were encouraged to use every contact point—whether at clinics, during outreach, or through home visits—to:

Share clear and consistent ECD messages; Connect families to essential health and nutrition services;Counsel caregivers on responsive caregiving, play, and early stimulation; Identify developmental delays early and refer appropriate; and Model positive, nurturing caregiving behaviors that strengthen family well-being.

This Majuro workshop follows earlier sessions that trained 16 Community Health Outreach Workers (CHOWs) on October 17, 2025, and 9 MoHHS personnel in Ebeye on October 22, 2025—completing the first round of SBCC capacity-building workshops supported by UNICEF and the World Bank.

Closing the training, Secretary of Health Mrs. Francyne Wase-Jacklick commended the participants for their dedication and commitment, noting that the workshop’s lessons will have a ripple effect in improving health outcomes for families across the Marshall Islands.

“Communication is not only about what we say, but how we say it—with empathy, respect, and compassion. When we communicate with care, we build stronger relationships with families and communities, helping every child grow, learn, and thrive,” she said.

Both UNICEF Pacific and MoHHS expressed appreciation to the World Bank Pacific for its continued support in strengthening national capacity to deliver essential RMI Early Childhood Development Program - ECD and health services to every child and family in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

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Majuro, MH — The Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS), in partnership with Women United Together in the Marshall Islands (WUTMI), Youth to Youth in Health (YTYIH), and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Kirby Institute, marked a milestone in women’s health with the signing of a new three-year partnership agreement focused on strengthening cervical cancer prevention and screening across the Marshall Islands.

The virtual signing ceremony brought together key leaders and partners including Honorable Ota Kisino, Minister of Health and Human Services; Professor Anthony Kelleher, Director of UNSW Kirby Institute; and Ms. Vanessa Price, Head of Kirby Institute, alongside national stakeholders and public health teams. While Youth to Youth in Health expressed their regrets due to prior commitments, their Executive Director Ms. Cathner Abner reaffirmed YTYIH’s commitment to serve as the main community hub for cervical cancer screenings in Majuro through their facilities.

This partnership marks a new chapter for the Ministry as it embraces a multisectoral approach, with MoHHS serving as the key technical lead, working hand in hand with community organizations and academic partners. The collaboration recognizes WUTMI’s continued leadership under President Brenda Alik and Executive Director Danyia Note, and builds upon years of groundwork, advocacy, and community-driven efforts to bring cervical cancer to the forefront of women’s health priorities.

Together, these partners have set an ambitious national goal — **to screen at least 70% of all eligible women across the Republic of the Marshall Islands** — ensuring that every woman, regardless of where she lives, has access to life-saving cervical cancer screening and follow-up care.

Minister Kisino, in his keynote remarks, emphasized unity and purpose: “We stand stronger together. This partnership is a reflection of our collective commitment — government, women’s groups, youth, and academia — to ensure that no woman is left behind in the fight against cervical cancer.”

The event also highlighted the importance of integrated action to end the long-standing challenges surrounding women’s health and cervical cancer. It signifies a historic moment — transitioning from working in silos to a unified, coordinated effort rooted in shared responsibility and vision for a healthier Marshall Islands.

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The Ministry of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Latter-Day Saint Charities, officially launched the Wheelchair Assessment and Assembly Training this week — a powerful step toward ensuring mobility, dignity, and inclusion for all.

Led by Dr. Ting-Ju Kuo and Mr. Hiroto Ishikawa, the training equips health and rehabilitation personnel with the skills to properly assess, assemble, and fit wheelchairs for children and adults in need across the Marshall Islands.

This initiative would not have been possible without the partnership and support of the Marshall Islands Persons with Disability Organization, our local governments, and our dedicated team who helped bring this project to life.

Every wheelchair represents more than mobility — it represents freedom, independence, and hope for our people.

Together, we live by our guiding principle:

“Kumiti Ejmour” — Health is a Shared Responsibility.

#MOHHS #LDSCharities #Inclusion #MobilityForAll #HealthIsASharedResponsibility #MarshallIslands #PartnershipInAction

Our commitment to serve every island and every community remains unwavering. The Ministry of Health & Human Services continues to expand access to quality care across the neighboring islands — ensuring no one is left behind.

This month, we proudly welcome two new members who will help us strengthen care and outreach in our outer island health centers:

Nurse Practitioner Ms. Meresaini Radinivuna Lasike joins the Santo Island Health Center, bringing renewed energy and expertise to community health.

Dr. Simon Ero Holara joins the Kili Island Health Center, enhancing medical support and access to essential services.

Please join us in welcoming them to the MoHHS family as we continue to move forward — together — toward healthier islands and a stronger nation.

The Ministry of Health & Human Services would like to express its sincere gratitude to the RMI Multisectoral Early Childhood Development–II Project and the World Bank Pacific for their invaluable and ongoing support in strengthening the Ministry’s management and stewardship capacity. Their partnership remains critical to the continued success of our initiatives, enabling us to expand health services and improve the well-being of our communities—particularly through integrated approaches that advance Early Childhood Development and promote long-term public health.

Kumiti Ejmour – Health is a Shared Responsibility.

#NeighboringIslandsHealth #KumitiEjmour #MarshallIslands #MoHHS #HealthForAll #TeamHealthRMI #Iokwe

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) officially reopened the renovated 177 Healthcare Clinic, marking an important milestone in strengthening healthcare services for the nuclear-affected communities of Enewetak, Bikini, Rongelap, and Utrik Atolls.

The renovation was made possible through funding support from the U.S. Government, under the Compact of Free Association and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP). The project reflects the continued partnership between the Governments of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States in improving health infrastructure and access to care.

“The 177 Healthcare Clinic stands as a living reminder of our history and our duty to care for those affected. Its reopening renews our collective promise to deliver quality, compassionate healthcare to every family touched by this legacy,” said Honorable Ota Kisino, Minister of Health and Human Services. The Ministry extends its appreciation to all partners and stakeholders for their collaboration, guided by the principle Kumiti Ejmour — Health is a Shared Responsibility.

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