She joined the VMF in 2013, at a time when she had just completed Year 13. While studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP), she came across a scholarship opportunity that allowed her to pursue further studies overseas.

Dr Vira said she decided to apply, despite having only recently completed Year 13, and was grateful when she was accepted.

She went overseas to continue her medical studies before returning to Vanuatu. In 2020, she began working at Vila National Hospital (VNH), where she obtained her registration to practise medicine.

Since then, Dr Vira has continued to serve both the VMF and the national health system. She currently works in the Emergency Unit at VNH while also providing medical services to VMF personnel when required.

She said managing responsibilities between the two institutions can be challenging, but rosters have helped her balance her professional commitments and family life.

“I work in two places, and when they need me, I usually find time to go and work at the hospital and also at the VMF. The rosters make life a little easier,” she said.

Dr Vira’s area of practice is emergency medicine, and she hopes to undertake further studies in the field while also helping strengthen the VMF’s medical capacity.

She said one of her priorities is to see more VMF officers trained in medicine, nursing and other healthcare fields so they can provide medical assistance both within the Force and when supporting communities.

“We want to train more officers and bring more people into the Force who can be trained in the medical field. We need more medical officers in the field to help people,” she said.

Dr Vira said only two VMF personnel have so far progressed to become medical officers, highlighting the need for greater investment in medical training.

She said the VMF has already made progress in improving its medical facilities.

When she first joined the Force in 2013, personnel were using an older clinic facility, which has since been demolished. The VMF now has a newer and more advanced medical facility.

Dr Vira said the changes represent progress in the Force’s ability to provide medical care to its personnel.

She believes there is still considerable room for growth, particularly in training more officers to work as medics, nurses and medical professionals.

For Dr Vira, however, her journey is not only about professional achievement. It is also about demonstrating to young women that education and ambition can open doors to opportunities they may never have imagined.

She encouraged young girls to believe in themselves and remain committed to their goals.

“Everybody has their own dreams and ambitions, but anything you put your mind to, you can achieve,” she said.

Dr Vira said becoming a mother and balancing professional responsibilities have not stopped her from pursuing further education. She still has plans for additional studies, saying education should remain a lifelong journey.

“Education, limitations or changes in life should never stop people from studying,” she said.

She urged young women to focus on themselves, their education and their ambitions, reminding them that their circumstances should not define what they can achieve.

Her own journey—from completing Year 13 in Vanuatu, securing an overseas scholarship, studying medicine and returning to serve both the national hospital and the Vanuatu Mobile Force—stands as an example of what determination and opportunity can make possible.

Dr Vira hopes her experience will inspire more young women to enter fields traditionally seen as challenging or male-dominated, including medicine, emergency healthcare and the uniformed services.

She says the future of the VMF’s medical section depends on creating more opportunities for young people to train, serve and develop their skills so they can ultimately contribute to the health and well-being of communities across Vanuatu.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST