Project News

In Vanuatu, the second meeting of the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) was held on the 27th of February, 2012 in Portvila. The committee is chaired by the Director of Health, Mr. George Taleo. JCC members are; Director of south health care, Chair person of Vanuatu Nursing Council, Principal of Vanuatu collage of nursing education, Shefa Provincial health manager, Manager of Human resource development and training unit, the JICA resident representative, and JICA advisors assigned to the project. In addition to the members, provincial health managers from each province were invited as observers. The participants discussed progress of project activities, achievement of project objectives, results of the baseline survey, and annual work plan for next year. As a result, the annual work plan 2012-2013 was authorized by the committee.

Various activities have been implemented since the initiation of the project in Vanuatu. First, the project had developed "Competencies standards for registered nurses (CS)" and its assessment tools. Second, the project has been developing the guidelines and tools for the S&C. Meanwhile, a baseline survey was implemented to measure the impact of the project. Next, a training course on S&C skills for nursing supervisors as well as a training course on the CS for registered nurses are planned to be implemented in May.

The results of the baseline survey objectively showed current situation of supervision, coaching, competency assessment, and in-service training for community health nurses. It was revealed that the supervision was provided to only 50% of health facilities, and most of the visits were done without any check lists; almost none of supervisors implemented coaching; coaching was new concept for most of the nurses in Vanuatu; scarcity of fund caused by absence of appropriate budgeting system.

TV Vanuatu broadcast and Daily Vanuatu (local newspaper) wrote the story about the meeting.