For remote communities in rural Santo, it is challenging to travel to the main city Luganville for basic health services. For these communities, having access to safer and more reliable healthcare closer to home is critical.
Fanafo and Malao health centres serve 52 communities and an estimated 9000 people. Today, these communities and the Ministry of Health (MOH) celebrate the completed renovations at both Fanafo and Malao health centres, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
These upgrades aim to strengthen the health facilities’ ability to provide essential services in a changing climate.
Among the improvements to support safer and more reliable health services are new roofing and cyclone-resistant fittings, new ceilings, doors and windows, mosquito screens, improved toilets and bathrooms, additional water storage, and enhanced healthcare waste management facilities.
The upgrades are designed to create safer, more functional health facilities that can better support patients, health workers and surrounding communities, particularly as climate-related risks increase.
“Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of hazards that can disrupt health services. By investing in climate-resilient health facilities, they are better prepared to serve communities when they need them most – without having to travel vast distances,” said Dr Revite Kirition, WHO Country Liaison Officer for Vanuatu.
“For our communities, strengthening health facilities means we are better prepared to maintain essential health services like providing care to mothers and children, even when communities are affected by cyclones, floods and other emergencies,” stated Dr Jenny Stephens, Ministry of Health Director.
Renovations were made through the Building Resilience of Health Systems in Pacific Island Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to Climate Change project, implemented by the MOH with WHO support. The multi-year project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Asia and the Pacific.
Continued work strengthening health facilities on Malekula in Malampa Province
MOH, with support from the WHO Country Liaison Office for Vanuatu, continues to renovate other facilities across the country through this project to strengthen climate resilience. The work continues on Malekula Island in Malampa Province, where 6 health facilities will undergo renovation and retrofitting:
- Lamap Mini Hospital
- Atchin Health Centre
- Heaspigles Bay Health Centre
- Norsup Mini Hospital
- Tisman Dispensary
- Utas Health Centre.
The planned works will focus on strengthening key elements of the facilities to improve their resilience to climate change, including roofing, ceilings, doors and windows, water supply, plumbing, sanitation and healthcare waste management.
From Santo to Malekula, the investment reflects a broader commitment to building a health system that is better prepared for a changing climate.
“Health facilities must be ready before a disaster happens, not only repaired after one,” Dr Revite said. “Climate-resilient infrastructure is an important part of health security and ensuring continuity of essential services for communities across Vanuatu.”
More on the topic
To learn more about climate resilient health systems visit the WHO webpage.
WHO collaborates with governments and partners to:
- prepare for and reduce the health impacts of climate change through building capacity
- conducting vulnerability and adaptation assessments (V&As)
- supporting the development and implementation of strategies like Health-National Adaptation Plans (H-NAPs)
- strengthening climate resilience and promoting low-carbon health systems.