Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Solomon Islands: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinate Palliative Care, Home Nursing, and Health Coverage

   • Public hospital and community palliative care: In Solomon Islands, specialist inpatient care, oncology symptom control, and pain management are coordinated through the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara, provincial hospitals (including Kilu'ufi Hospital in Malaita, Gizo Hospital in Western Province, and Kirakira Hospital in Makira-Ulawa), and church-supported hospitals (such as Good Samaritan Hospital in Guadalcanal and Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda) operating alongside the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) [1] [2]. We suggest requesting a written clinical summary, a symptom-relief medication schedule, and referrals to Area Health Centre nurses or the Solomon Islands Cancer Society for community-based support [1] [2].
   • Public health coverage and overseas medical referral: Public consultations, inpatient beds, and essential medicines at government clinics and hospitals under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) are publicly subsidized for Solomon Islands citizens [1] [2]. Where specialized clinical care or diagnostic review abroad is under consideration, referrals are assessed by the National Medical Treatment Overseas Committee at the National Referral Hospital [1].
   • Maintaining clinical records at home: Keep an organized folder at home containing the ill person's hospital discharge summaries, medication charts, and attending physician contact details so visiting nurses or provincial medical officers can coordinate care seamlessly [1].
2. 2

   Record Advance Care Preferences and Designate a Medical Representative

   • Written advance medical care statement: Solomon Islands does not currently have a standalone statutory living will act, so clinical consent and life-sustaining treatment decisions are governed by common-law principles of informed consent and clinical governance guidelines administered by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) [1]. While your family member retains full mental capacity, it is advisable for them to sign a dated written statement in the presence of two adult witnesses setting out their preferences regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation, intensive care transfers, and comfort-focused palliative care.
   • Designating a primary healthcare spokesperson: Because extended family (wantok) consultations are central in Solomon Islands medical settings, having the ill person explicitly nominate one primary medical spokesperson in their National Referral Hospital or provincial hospital chart avoids ambiguity if urgent clinical decisions arise after capacity declines [1] [3].
   • Lodging directives with the treating medical team: Provide signed copies of the care preferences statement and spokesperson designation to the attending consultant at the National Referral Hospital or relevant provincial hospital so they are placed directly in the patient's medical record [1].
3. 3

   Execute Valid Financial Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates

   • General or Specific Power of Attorney: Under common-law agency and property principles applied in Solomon Islands alongside the Land and Titles Act (Cap. 133), an adult with full mental capacity may execute a formal Deed of Power of Attorney appointing a trusted relative or legal representative (attorney-in-fact) to manage bank accounts, pay household expenses, sign contracts, and administer property [3]. The Power of Attorney should be drafted with legal assistance (through a private legal practitioner or, where eligible, advice via agencies under the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA)) and executed before an authorized witness or Commissioner for Oaths [3].
   • Capacity and land registry filing rules: Because an ordinary common-law Power of Attorney ceases to operate if the donor loses mental capacity, it is advisable to execute both a formal Power of Attorney and direct bank third-party mandates while capacity is completely intact [3]. If the Power of Attorney authorizes any transfer, lease, or charge over a registered perpetual estate or fixed-term estate in land, it must be formally attested and registered with the Land Registry under the Land and Titles Act (Cap. 133) [3].
   • Commercial bank mandates: Commercial banks in Solomon Islands (such as Bank South Pacific, ANZ Solomon Islands, Bred Bank Solomon, and Pan Oceanic Bank) generally require account holders to complete the bank's own Third-Party Authority Form or add a joint signatory in person while the account holder is able to verify their identity [3].
4. 4

   Activate SINPF Medical Incapacity Withdrawals and Workplace Support

   • Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) medical incapacity payout: Under the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund Act (Cap. 109), if your family member is a member of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) and is certified by two registered medical practitioners (or an approved medical board) as permanently physically or mentally incapacitated from ever engaging in further employment, they can apply to withdraw their full accumulated SINPF retirement balance while alive [4] [5]. Members aged 50 or older who have retired from employment may also apply for age-based withdrawal at the SINPF head office in Honiara or branch offices in Auki, Gizo, or Noro [4] [5].
   • Employee sickness and workplace entitlements: Under the Labour Act (Cap. 73) and Workmen's Compensation Act (Cap. 77), employed workers facing serious illness are entitled to statutory paid sick leave and, where an illness is work-related, statutory medical and incapacity compensation [5]. Family caregivers employed in the public or private sector should request compassionate leave, annual leave, or flexible care arrangements from their employer's human resources department.
   • Updating SINPF beneficiary nominations: While your family member retains full legal capacity, they should verify or submit an updated official Nomination Form directly with the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) so that any remaining provident fund credits and entitlements are directed clearly to their chosen family beneficiaries [4] [5].
5. 5

   Review Wills, Civil Registry Records, and Customary vs. Registered Property

   • Executing or updating a valid Will: Under the Wills, Probate and Administration Act (Cap. 33), a valid Will in Solomon Islands must be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of at least two independent adult witnesses present at the same time who are not beneficiaries (or spouses of beneficiaries) under the Will [3]. Having a properly executed Will streamlines future administration before the High Court of Solomon Islands and justice agencies linked with the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA) [3].
   • Distinguishing registered estates from customary land: Under the Land and Titles Act (Cap. 133), a written Will can dispose of personal property (bank accounts, vehicles, business shares) as well as registered perpetual estates and fixed-term estates (such as urban property leases in Honiara) [3]. Customary land remains governed by local clan and tribal custom and cannot be transferred outside customary succession rules by an ordinary statutory Will [3].
   • Verifying civil status documents and cross-border assets: Confirm that the ill person's birth certificate, marriage certificate, and children's birth records are accurately registered with the Civil Registration Office at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Honiara, as consistent civil registry records are essential for SINPF claims and High Court filings [6]. Because Solomon Islands is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, if family members or assets are located abroad (for example, in Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji), any cross-border power of attorney or property document must be notarized and legalized through diplomatic and consular channels.
   • Summary table of key steps and authorities:

   Step	Deadline	Authority
   1. Palliative care & clinical summary	Upon diagnosis	Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) / NRH
   2. Written care preferences & medical proxy	While capacity is intact	Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) / Treating hospital
   3. Power of Attorney & bank mandates	While capacity is intact	Legal practitioner / Commercial banks / Land Registry
   4. Medical incapacity payout & nomination update	Upon medical certification	Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF)
   5. Will execution & civil record check	While capacity is intact	High Court / Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA) / Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) - National Referral Hospital and Clinical Services — Solomon Islands Government Portal
2. [2]
   WHO Country Profile and Health System Overview: Solomon Islands — World Health Organization (WHO)
3. [3]
   Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA) - Legal Services, Public Trustee, and Courts — Solomon Islands Government Portal
4. [4]
   Member Services, Medical Incapacity Withdrawals, and Beneficiary Nominations — Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF)
5. [5]
   Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific - Solomon Islands — U.S. Social Security Administration / ISSA
6. [6]
   Ministry of Home Affairs - Civil Registration Office (Births and Marriages) — Solomon Islands Government Portal