Thousands to benefit from strengthened healthcare services through access to reliable and safe water supply

Port Vila, Vanuatu 21 June 2024 – Today, the Government of Japan and UNICEF have together handed over improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to the Vanuatu Ministry of Health to boost healthcare activities reaching thousands of people who will be accessing medical services at Mele Health Centre.

The Acting Director General of Health, Dr. Posikai Samuel Tapo, stated that this endeavour aligns seamlessly with Vanuatu's health sector strategic objectives, aimed at strengthening public health and clinical services while ensuring equitable access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. It underscores the health sector’s commitment to a needs-based primary healthcare framework, with resource allocation tailored to uphold standards at each level of healthcare delivery, as outlined in the Role Delineation Policy.

“The improvements made at Mele Health Centre are a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and commitment. From installing solar-powered pumps to implementing water treatment technologies, every step taken has been with the goal of improving the quality of care provided to our citizens. As we celebrate this achievement, we must also recognize that there is still much work to be done. We cannot rest until every healthcare facility in our nation meets the basic standards for WASH services. This requires continued collaboration, dedication, and investment.”

“Let us remember the importance of this moment and the impact it will have on the lives of our citizens. By ensuring access to quality healthcare and proper WASH facilities, we are not only saving lives, but also building a healthier and more resilient nation,” he added.

These improvements to the health facility includes the construction of a borehole, installation of a solar-powered pump system, a tank stand, and a distribution network to ensure a clean water supply and hygiene services throughout the health care facility. The water system has also been equipped with treatment technology to maintain quality.

"Strengthening sanitation is an urgent challenge in response to various diseases. It is also one of the most important social infrastructures for economic and social activities to ensure a healthy and secure life for all citizens. We sincerely hope that this equipment will be properly managed and used for the benefit of the people, especially the children, for many years to come,” said H.E. Mr. OKUDA Naohisa, Ambassador of Japan.

“The provision of WASH facilities nationwide under this project will contribute to strengthening infection control measures in other health facilities. Japan will continue to work together with UNICEF to promote cooperation for the Republic of Vanuatu,” he added.

Prior to this upgrade, there was no reliable running water available within wards at the health centre. This undermined the ability of handwashing and proper hygiene practices by the health care workers at the point of care. This put the lives of every patient, including children, at a high risk when undergoing treatment at the health centre.

These improved WASH services will contribute to the more effective and quality services provided at the health centre by reduction of infection, improving newborn health as well as mothers’ care and survival.

For children under 5, water and sanitation-related diseases are one of the leading causes of death across the Pacific. In Vanuatu, as per the Joint Monitoring Programme report, only 9 per cent of health facilities have access to basic sanitation services, 27 per cent have basic hygiene, and 28 per cent still lack basic water services.

“We thank the Government of Japan for their partnership with UNICEF to support Vanuatu’s efforts in ensuring no child gets sick, or even worse, loses their life to an infection caused by inadequate WASH services in a healthcare setting,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Chief of Vanuatu Field Office, Eric Durpaire. “We also appreciate the Ministry of Health’s leadership in strengthening the critical services that healthcare workers provide to keep all children and their families safe and protected.”

Together with these WASH services, supplies including cleaning materials have been handed over to strengthen infection prevention, and control within the health centre. Training on maintenance has been provided to the healthcare workers to sustain these improved services. A ramp has also been constructed at the entry of the health centre to allow better accessibility for all patients and healthcare workers.

UNICEF and the Government of Japan, continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure that the rights of children to survival and development are achieved through improved drinking-water, sanitation, and hygiene behaviour as well as with overall improved quality of healthcare services.

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Notes to Editors: 

The WASH facilities are part of the Government of Japan’s commitment to supporting UNICEF's efforts in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on children's health and well-being in Vanuatu. This WASH in healthcare facilities partnership that covers 22 healthcare facilities, throughout the country, including Mele Health Centre, also aims at enhancing preparedness for future pandemics as well as building resilience to climate change.

About the Vanuatu Ministry of Health:

The Ministry of Health’s Vision is: To protect and promote the health of all people throughout Vanuatu. This vision is underpinned in the Health Sector Strategy vision which is: A healthy population that enjoys a high quality of physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being, through an effective decentralized health system with a Primary Health care focus, developed and strengthened secondary and tertiary healthcare, and strong leadership to promote good governance practice at all levels of health services.

About the Government of Japan:

Japan provides funds (grants, loans, etc.) and technologies that are useful for “development”, including peacebuilding, governance, promotion of basic human rights and humanitarian assistance, in the form of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to eligible countries and regions. ODA includes bilateral aid to directly assist developing countries and regions, and multilateral aid, which consist of contributions to international organizations such as UNICEF, UNDP, and WHO.