Bonvor aid post upgraded to dispensary

Wednesday 26 April 2017 marked a very important landmark for the development of health services delivery on the extreme South of Malekula, Malampa Province.

The Minister of Health, Jerome Ludvaun in the presence of Director General of the Ministry of Health, George Taleo, Seventh Day Adventist Country President, Pastor Nos Terry, senior officials of the Ministry of Health, SDA mission senior staff, Malampa Provincial Government representative, senior staffs of Norsup Hospital and Malampa Community Health Services, and communities extending from Maskylenes islands to South West Bay were present to witness the inaugural opening of a five-room building which will serve as the dispensary and a fully furnished staff house for the registered nurse who is now already treating patients after the opening of the health facility.

During his official remarks the Minister of Health emphasized the Ministry of Health’s plan to continue strengthen the partnership between government and Churches to meet the need of health demands in the country prior to our Independence in 1980, a lot of religious mission establishments in Vanuatu focused on the health of our people as key to the future of this country.

Hence main health infrastructures in the rural areas still stand today which were previously managed by missions such as the Presbyterian, Catholic, Churches of Christ and Seventh Day Adventist given different affiliations and vision to promote health as key to the development of social and economic growth.

“Today most missions are making effort to promote health services delivery in the rural areas, and as Minister of Health of the day, it is my priority to reconnect the partnership with the Churches which can result in such development that the SDA mission of Vanuatu has demonstrated through funding commitment of this project.”

The President of SDA mission gave a brief history of the project with the emphasis that the Church regards health wellbeing of people as vital element to spiritual living, hence the push to negotiate for such project be established in such remote geographical area of South Malekula.

“This dispensary is a gift to the people of South Malekula so it is my utmost wish that you look after it so it will continue to meet the health needs of the people in South Malekula in the years to come,” said the SDA mission president. To support the Minister of health initiative to strengthen existing effort with the SDA mission, it was confirmed that 6 other health facilities are now operating in Tafea, Shefa, Malampa and Sanma provinces.

The total cost of the building project at Bonvor village in South Malekula is over Vt5 million.

To further enhance the current development of the health facility, the Minister of Health confirmed government funding for a Maternity Wing, a midwife, a boat and remuneration of the retired nurse and nurse aid for the Dispensary.