By Ezra Toara
Copyright dailypost
Sixteen healthcare workers from South Santo, West Coast Santo, Northern Provincial Hospital, and SANMA Rural Health successfully completed a four-day training on disability and mental health, held from 9–12 September 2025.
The training was organised by SANMA Provincial Health in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) Mind Care Team, the Vanuatu Society for People with Disability (VSPD), and the Vanuatu Disability Promotion Advocacy Association (VDPA). The Australian Government, through the Vanuatu-Australia Health Partnership (VAHP), supported the professional development initiative.
The program provided healthcare workers across SANMA Province—including Northern Provincial Hospital, dispensaries, and health centres—with practical skills to deliver inclusive and comprehensive services. The initiative builds their ability to provide quality care for people with disabilities and those affected by mental health challenges.
“Health workers are often the first point of contact in our communities,” said Susan Wokeke, Manager of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent, and Child Health (RMNCAH) for SANMA Province and lead of the training. “This program gives them the knowledge and skills to respond with care and compassion, ensuring no one is left behind when accessing essential health services.”
Peter Masanga, a Registered Nurse (RN) at Nokuku Health Centre and participant in the training, said: “After attending this training, I plan to include a disability representative in the health centre committee. It’s important to observe and support people with disabilities who may face barriers that isolate them. This training helps me advocate for them in the community and improves my understanding of disability and mental health issues.”
Providing healthcare workers with these skills forms part of the Vanuatu-Australia Health Partnership’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the delivery of Vanuatu’s primary healthcare framework. This ensures communities in area councils benefit from inclusive, quality health services closer to home.
