8,000 South Santo villagers to benefit from Tasmalum Health Centre’s VT67M upgrade

Sep 23, 2024 | News | 0

Approximately 8,000 people within the South Santo Area 1 council now have access to improved health services and medical equipment, thanks to a VT67 million upgrade through the Vanuatu–Australia Partnership.

On Thursday, 19 September 2024, the people of South Santo witnessed the opening of Tasmalum’s newly upgraded health centre at South Santo Area 1. The health centre, which was extensively damaged during a tropical cyclone, has been rebuilt with climate resilience and sustainability in mind. This was funded by the Australian government and coordinated by SANMA Provincial Health and Australia Pacific Health.

The facility will also serve people in surrounding areas of inland South Santo and offshore islands, providing basic health services that were previously only accessible at the Northern Provincial Hospital (NPH). Due to the remoteness of villages and poor transport infrastructure, these services were often delayed until illnesses reached severe stages.

“South Santo has many heartbreaking stories of mothers giving birth on the way to the hospital, either in the back of a Ute or in a boat, sometimes leading to complications and, tragically, maternal or neonatal deaths,” said Mr. Pierre Paul, Health Practitioner at Tasmalum, in an interview with the Vanuatu Daily Post.

The new health centre will offer vital services, including antenatal care, deliveries, postnatal care, minor surgeries, inpatient services, testing, and emergency care.

Tasmalum Health Centre now comprises a medical department, maternity ward, four staff houses, a laundry, and a kitchen. The centre is powered by solar energy and supplied with rainwater via an energy-efficient gravity system.

Additionally, the facility has been modernised with a nurses’ station, medicine storage, patient chairs, hospital beds, wheelchairs, and accessible features for community members with special needs.

Some of the newly introduced units include an Emergency Unit and a Labour Ward, which is equipped with modern equipment to facilitate safe deliveries and postnatal care.

Special delegates present at the re-opening ceremony included Minister for Health John Still Tari Qetu, President of SANMA Provincial Government Council (SPGC) Bridley Livo, Acting Secretary General (SG) of SPGC Mrs. Carol Rovo, Deputy Australian High Commissioner Emily Fisher, Director of Public Health Dr Jenny Stevens, Director of Local Authorities Ian Abbil, Acting Director of Corporate Services Policy and Planning Mr. Edmond Tavala, SANMA Health Administrator Mr. John George Ailir, and officials from SANMA Public Health, NPH, and SPGC.

Speaking at the re-opening, Deputy High Commissioner Fisher said Australia was pleased to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) in improving health services for the people of South Santo Area 1.

“This is one of the first health centres in Vanuatu that integrates climate resilience, environmental sustainability, universal accessibility, new medical equipment, and a new approach to health, supported by various health partners within SANMA Province,” Ms Fisher said.

The development of this advanced medical centre at Tasmalum is part of SPGC’s plan to position Tasmalum as one of its four major economic hubs. It represents a noteworthy step in decentralising government services to rural areas of SANMA Province.

“Today, SANMA Province witnessed the launch of the first Primary Health Care Model services in Vanuatu, piloted to strengthen the primary health care system and deliver quality, inclusive services, especially in health centres,” Acting SG Rovo said.

“Tasmalum Model is part of SPGC’s vision to decentralise services and develop economic hubs, bringing vital services closer to the people of SANMA.”

Mrs. Rovo also expressed her pride that the new health centre stands as SANMA’s second hospital.

Health Minister Qetu extended his appreciation for the longstanding support of the Australian government in improving Vanuatu’s health sector.

“Tasmalum Health Centre represents the future of Vanuatu’s healthcare. It is fully equipped with medical equipment donated by Australia, ensuring that the Vanuatu government can provide quality health services to its people,” Minister Qetu said. He also reflected on the government’s vision for enhancing healthcare across Vanuatu.

“The opening of this health centre in South Santo marks a new chapter for healthcare delivery in Vanuatu. It is cyclone-proof, solar-powered, and a model of resilience,” Qetu said.

Currently, Tasmalum staff are still under the supervision of a nurse practitioner. However, Minister Qetu assured that, despite the shortage of healthcare workers in Vanuatu, a full-time doctor will soon be stationed at the centre. The new health centre is a landmark for Tasmalum, promising improved access to healthcare for families and people of South Santo, who have long faced challenges in accessing basic services.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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8,000 South Santo villagers to benefit from Tasmalum Health Centre’s VT67M upgrade

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