Doctors and patients in Vanuatu will no longer need to send many tissue samples overseas for specialized diagnosis, following the opening of a new histology unit at the Vanuatu National Hospital.

For years, tissue specimens requiring specialised testing have been sent overseas, often resulting in additional costs and long waiting periods for patients and doctors awaiting results.

The new unit, valued at around 10 million vatu, is expected to allow more diagnoses to be carried out locally and reduce the financial and emotional burden on patients and their families.

The unit was officially opened by Minister of Health Robert Bohn, with most of the equipment funded by the Government of Vanuatu, with support from the South Pacific Community and the Kirby Institute.

Minister Bohn said the new unit would help change this.

“For many years, when our doctors needed to have tissue diagnosis, specimens have been sent overseas at a significant cost, not only in money but also in the anxiety endured by the patient and even the doctors because of the time it took to get the results back. The establishment of this histology is going to change that.”

Building Capacity for Specialized Care

The Minister said the histology unit is also an important part of the country’s broader efforts to strengthen oncology and other specialized health services in Vanuatu.

“The opening of this histology section is one of the critical building blocks to achieving that goal.”

Dr Crystal Garae Tari, who has 10 years of experience in the field, said the unit represents a significant achievement, although work is still needed to further develop the service.

She said testing is already underway, while urgent cases will continue to be sent overseas when necessary.

“It is a big achievement, but the road is still long. Expectations will now be high that we can make diagnoses here, but we will still send samples that urgently need diagnosis overseas while we continue to develop this service.”

Director of Curative Services Sereana Natuman said the opening of the histology unit marks the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of the work.

“The opening of this histology is not the end of the journey; it is just the beginning of a long pathway, an opening to a new chapter.”

The Government says the new histology service is an important investment in the future of healthcare in Vanuatu, with a long-term goal of expanding specialized services so more patients can receive the care they need within the country.