teaching healing
Providing medical education and support in Vanuatu
Team Strategy
Needs
Trained medical personnel are in extremely short supply in Vanuatu. There are a few doctors on Efate and a few on Santo. Thankfully, 36 new doctors returned to Vanuatu after receiving some medical training in Cuba, Fiji and China. There is a need for pediatric training.
Goals
To prepare and provide pediatric resources and training to the doctors in Vanuatu according to the needs and desires determined by them.
Guideposts
We will track the number of hours of training provided as well as the topics covered and the patients seen. In addition, we will monitor for additional areas of training opportunity.
Timeline
March 2015 - Emergency trip after Cyclone Pam. Assigned medical care for Nguna and Emao
May and June 2017 - Prepare materials based on the level of expressed interest.
July and August 2017 - Provide on-the-ground training
August 2017 - Data analysis and future initiative planning
2018 - Continue correspondence and preparation
June 2019 - Relocation to Vanuatu to allow full-time educational support of interns
May and June 2017 - Prepare materials based on the level of expressed interest.
July and August 2017 - Provide on-the-ground training
August 2017 - Data analysis and future initiative planning
2018 - Continue correspondence and preparation
June 2019 - Relocation to Vanuatu to allow full-time educational support of interns
Learning Points
Communication is a barrier with a strong local preference for face-to-face discussions.
Partners
Local friends and church members who have opened their homes and hearts
Missionaries and expats for helping coordinate logistics
Contracted doctors at Vila Central Hospital
Missionaries and expats for helping coordinate logistics
Contracted doctors at Vila Central Hospital
Outcomes
Over 300 patients were treated during the initial visit after Cyclone Pam
Upon return to Vanuatu, work at Vila Central Hospital went very well. The teaching focus was very well-received. Formal weekly teaching hours were increased from 1 to 20. Informal teaching was >40 hours/week.
Treatment outcomes at VCH improved in the short-term as diagnosis and treatment options were expanded.
Medical licensure was difficult to formalize
Upon return to Vanuatu, work at Vila Central Hospital went very well. The teaching focus was very well-received. Formal weekly teaching hours were increased from 1 to 20. Informal teaching was >40 hours/week.
Treatment outcomes at VCH improved in the short-term as diagnosis and treatment options were expanded.
Medical licensure was difficult to formalize
Donations
Regarding donations, any donations made to this team will be used in one of two ways.
First, donations may be used to pay annual subscription fees to Dokta Matt with Dokta Blong Mi. These fees will only be used when a specific child with severe medical problems and an inability to afford medical care has been identified. Despite the higher acuity, no additional fee will be charged beyond the typical annual subscription. Documentation of each child's circumstances will be maintained and published (consistent with standards of patient privacy).
Second, donations may also be used to help families without the means to receive other critical medical care. A common need relates to those with complex medical problems that are unable to receive specialized care within Vanuatu. Again, use of these funds will be published.
First, donations may be used to pay annual subscription fees to Dokta Matt with Dokta Blong Mi. These fees will only be used when a specific child with severe medical problems and an inability to afford medical care has been identified. Despite the higher acuity, no additional fee will be charged beyond the typical annual subscription. Documentation of each child's circumstances will be maintained and published (consistent with standards of patient privacy).
Second, donations may also be used to help families without the means to receive other critical medical care. A common need relates to those with complex medical problems that are unable to receive specialized care within Vanuatu. Again, use of these funds will be published.