Health staff encouraged to do further studies to provide quality health care

The Government of Vanuatu and World Health Organization (WHO) are encouraging staff of the Ministry of Health and also students to undertake further training to improve their skills so they can provide a quality health service to the people of Vanuatu.

Addressing the launching of the Open Day of the Pacific Online Health Network (POLHN), Vanuatu at the Vila Central Hospital Thursday, on the absence of the Minister of Health, Toara Daniel, the Ministry’s Second Political Advisor, Simeon Robert encouraged all health workers to make use of the online training provided by POLHN.

Since 2003 POLHN provides online courses, training materials and health information to all health professionals in Pacific Island Countries, supported financially by WHO. In 2008 the Government of Vanuatu through the Ministry of Health approved the setting up of the POLHN, Vanuatu center which started operation in 2011. In 2013, the program was expanded to include NGO partners to make use of the program.

Thursday’s open day at the VCH marked the second time POLHN had presented certificates for its online learning program in Vanuatu. The first presentation in 2014 when over 738 certificates were presented and on Thursday a total of 297 certificates were presented.

“Thank you to WHO for financial assistance provided through the Ministry of Health in Vanuatu. I understand that POLHN provides free courses for continuing education to health professionals including nurses, registered nurses, students, public health workers, laboratory technicians, doctors, radiologists, and dentists,” 2nd PA Robert said on behalf of the Minister of Health.

“On behalf of the MOH, I wish to encourage all health workers, doctors, nurses, laboratory officers, x-ray technicians and dentists to make use of this online training and open learning program provided by POLHN. Continuing education is important for health workers to ensure we have update information always to build confidence in the staff to provide quality service that the population of Vanuatu need,” he said.

Michael Buttsworth, Technical Officer of WHO on behalf of Dr. Jacob Kool — the WHO Vanuatu Office Director, said WHO had proudly supported POLHN over many years now where it’s providing education and training to a large number of MOH staff and students.

“Staying up to date with the latest advances in health is really the responsibility of all staff and the Ministry.

“If we are going to provide quality health services to the people then we have to make sure that our staff is educated. And that’s a personal responsibility as well.

“So, we’re very happy that POLHN can provide those opportunities. As I’ve said if we want to improve the health of the people of Vanuatu then we really need an educated and highly skilled workforce. So, education is critical.

“But these opportunities are not always available to the people in the Pacific region, so I encourage all staff and students from USP and other places to take advantage of POLHN and the facilities and learn and develop their skills.”

Mr. Buttsworth referred to one concept that was being advocated around the world especially by WHO, universal health coverage, meaning quality health service for everyone with no financial hardships.

“But if we are going to deliver quality health services then people need to be educated and trained and we need to have the staff that is skilled with the necessary qualifications to deliver quality health services. So that’s where POLHN really fits in on this global agenda.”

The POLHN’s first open day in Port Vila provided an opportunity for people to access information about what is available online and ask questions about the program in Port Vila.

Marina Laklotal, POLHN Country Coordinator, Vanuatu explained that programs of study undertaken by students and provided by POLHN are:- Global Health, which is mostly public health or reproductive health,is offered by School of Public Health, University of John Hopkins in the USA; the Pacific Paramedic Training Center in Wellington New Zealand provides laboratory diploma in medical laboratory science; courses through the POLHN Suva, Fiji Office where one student collected five certificates on mental health, nowadays called mind care; and post graduate studies.

Ms. Laklotal explained that for Global Health there are 73 courses altogether and Thursday morning saw one student, Adenise Meltemal, who completed the full 73 courses program.

For the Pacific Paramedical Training Centre in Wellington, New Zealand, there were three students who graduated from the PPTC program.

“We are fortunate this year that we have one student who completed the POLHN course through the Suva office and he has collected five certificates on mental health, nowadays called mind care, and graduating with Mental Health Certificate.”

For post-graduate courses they had two students graduating, Dr. Jimmy Obed from mind care unit, who completed a postgraduate program on research and Noel Netan who last semester completed a postgraduate certificate on health service management and this semester he is completing a post graduate diploma.

“We are glad to have two students doing post graduate courses as in other Pacific island countries they have up to over 40 people doing postgraduate studies through POLHN.”

The graduation and opening day was also attended by Yasin Mohammed, Technical Officer of WHO Suva Office and Ranjana Prabhu — POLHN Country Coordinator, Fiji.