Health and Wholeness for Vanuatu
Over three days from 30th June to 2nd July 2023, the Adventist Health Expo in Luganville Santo, Sanma Adventist Districts, Sanma Province witnessed an amalgamation of health activities reflecting the theme: "I WILL GO, SHARING WHOLENESS, SERVING ALL". This event, focusing on holistic health, catered to a variety of health components: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.
The Health Department of the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, in partnership with organisations such as the Ministry of Health-Sanma Provincial Health, Northern District Hospital, ADRA Vanuatu, and others, successfully orchestrated this comprehensive event. The Expo served both Adventist and Non-Adventist public from Luganville, rural Santo, and the islands of Malo, Aore, and Tututba in the Sanma Province.
More than a thousand participants partook in a range of free health activities and services over the three-day span. Almost 500 individuals received free medical check-ups at four consultation booths and specific clinics, including a children's clinic, women's health, ENT clinic, eye clinic, mental health clinic, and NCD. The event also hosted a successful blood drive, attracting 50 willing participants.
An essential aspect of the Expo was health education, with sessions on diverse topics such as Mental Health, Women's Health, Domestic Violence, and more. Video documentaries and spiritual counselling, too, added to the richness of the event. A highlight was ADRA Vanuatu's "Healthy Recipe" demonstration, which fed more than 200 people with dishes made from local garden crops, sans added salt and sugar.
The event's speakers included luminaries like Mrs. Lekon Tagavi, Adventist Health Director; Pastor Pierre Ludvaune, Sanma District Pastor; Dr. Andy Ilo, Medical Superintendent of the Northern District Hospital; and Mr. Graham Uzukana, Project Manager ADRA Sanma, among others.
Dr. Ilo emphasised the importance of collaboration between faith-based organisations and government institutions to meet the health needs of all citizens. "Partnership should be our focus to ensure everyone is able to access the health services they need in a profound but fair manner," he shared.
Pastor Ludvaune expressed his wish to see more such events, calling it the "first of its kind Health Expo in Sanma". Mrs. Tagavi, too, supported the sentiment and stated that the Expo aligns with the 3rd National Sustainable Development goal of the Vanuatu government: to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages.
One of the significant highlights of the Expo was the successful blood donation drive. 50 participants donated blood under the slogan, "Give Blood, Save Life". Another was the engagement of the public with ADRA Vanuatu's "Healthy Recipe" demonstrations.
Church leaders from both Adventist and non-Adventist denominations praised the event, and there were requests for more such health expos in the future. Dr. Andy Ilo called upon all churches and denominations to partner with the Health Ministry to enhance this healing ministry, particularly in light of the shortage of health/medical workers in Vanuatu.
The Adventist Health Expo, through its spirit of service and focus on comprehensive health, embodied the principles of the Healthy Island initiative and echoed the Adventist Health's theme for this quinquennium, “I WILL GO sharing WHOLENESS, serving ALL”. It served as a call to action for individuals, organisations, and institutions to step up and contribute to promoting health and well-being for all, thus laying the foundation for a healthier, more prosperous Vanuatu.