The Ministry of Health and Medical Services parade the city to mark "World Water Day" based on the theme: 'Sanitation for a cleaner and healthier Solomon Islands'.

Speaking at the celebrations, the Under Secretary for the Ministry, Dr David Ogaoga said that the theme is in line with the ministry's vision, mission, and value.

"The vision is 'healthy, happy, and productive Solomon Islands', its mission is to 'promote, protect and maintain the good health and wellbeing of every women, man and child', and the value is 'our people's health is our passion and every ones business' in the Solomon Islands," Dr. Ogaoga highlighted.

He stressed that proper sanitation and improving the use will contribute significantly to the vision, mission and value of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

"We all know that good sanitation is vital for human health, it helps take care of the environment and it generates economic benefits and also contributes to human dignity and social development," he said.

Solomon Islands is no exemption to issues relating to poor sanitation facilities where people still use "bushes and seas" which may be of culture and origin, he said.

"This maybe of our ancestors but with the increasing population, the need to address sanitation is becoming a pressing issue."

He also mentioned that health issues relating to improper human waste disposal is still a challenge and "it is a need to seriously look into rural sanitation and water programs."

The day was marked by workers from the Ministry and various primary schools in Honiara.