Two health facilities in North Ambrym are currently under construction with a funding allocation of 60 million Vatu. The Olal and Nebul health centers, which were severely damaged by Cyclone Harold in 2020, are the focus of this development.

Jackson Willie, the Area Administrator of North Ambrym, confirmed that the funding has been provided by the New Zealand and Vanuatu government to support the rebuilding efforts. “The work on Olal Dispensary and Nebul Health Centre has already begun, and we hope to complete the project by the end of this year,” said Mr. Willie.

Despite the damage, normal health services are still being provided. Nebul Health Centre is operating from an existing building, while Olal Dispensary is functioning from a temporary structure. Mr. Willie assured that the health project is progressing smoothly.

Additionally, he highlighted the importance of the Olal Airport project for emergency situations. “The Olal Airport remains a priority for us, especially when patients need to be transported quickly,” he said. An agreement for the project has already been signed with Pierre Brunet, but Mr. Willie noted that the project is pending approval from the national budget before it can move forward.

Mr. Willie also addressed the longstanding transportation challenges faced by the community. “For the past 45 years, people have had to travel by boat for over two hours to reach West Ambrym in case of a medical emergency. The cost of boat travel is high, and we urgently need the airport project to be completed,” he emphasized.

The new airport and health center projects are expected to benefit over 4000 people in North Ambrym, improving access to healthcare and emergency services for the community.