Communities around the North Efate Area Council came together on Wednesday to mark the groundbreaking of a new Shefa Provincial Health Administration Office in Emua village.

The event, held during Shefa Day celebrations, was attended by representatives from the national and Shefa provincial governments, along with international partners, as a sign of collective commitment to decentralize essential health services and bring them closer to the people.

The new office is part of a broader push by the Shefa Health Administration, in partnership with the Government of Vanuatu and donor partners, to extend health services into rural areas and strengthen frontline service delivery.

Unveiling the Shefa Health signboard alongside the Shefa Maritime Health Care initiative, the groundbreaking marks a new milestone in the province’s strategy to expand access and resilience within the health sector.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat, speaking at the ceremony, acknowledged the people and chiefs of Emua for their cooperation with the government:

“This is true partnership and clear evidence of decentralization in action. The government cannot deliver services from the sky. We must work together on the ground, respecting traditional governance structures, to drive development forward,” he said.

The project of around VT60 million is supported by the Vanuatu Government and its longtime partner, the Government of Australia.

The High Commissioner to Vanuatu, H.E. Max Willis, reiterated their long-term commitment:

“Australia is here to support the main objective of the Shefa Provincial Helt and government which is to ‘build back better’”, Willis said.

“Australia is here to support Shefa Health and the Government of Vanuatu to decentralize quality services — not only in health, but also in education, infrastructure, disaster response, and justice. We’re proud to support the Shefa Maritime Health Care concept, bringing services to even the most remote communities.”

The current Shefa Health Office is operating from a temporary facility in Port Vila after being damaged from the 17 December earthquake last year. The new office in North Efate is expected to enhance health system resilience, especially during disasters.

Morris Amos, speaking on behalf of the Shefa Health team, said the location of the new facility was strategic:

“This location is closer to much of Efate’s population and serves as a gateway to the Shepherd Islands and Epi. It will also allow for maritime health outreach to communities with no air access, using government boats to deliver vital health services.”

The Ministry of Health clarified that this new office is for administrative purposes, and that Saupia Health Centre in Paunangisu remains the main health facility for the area.Health Centre in Paunangisu remains the main health facility for the area.