Vanuatu’s health sector continues to face a critical shortage of nurses, with local leaders calling for urgent investment in training and workforce development to improve service delivery across the country.

Speaking during today’s International Nurses Day, Nursing Service Manager, Honore Maurice highlighted that the issue is not just about workforce gaps at the main hospital in Port Vila, but one that is also being felt in provinces across the country.

“We are short of staff. We’ve had to bring in nurses from the Solomon Islands to help, but the challenge still remains,” the official said.

At the heart of the issue is the limited capacity of Vanuatu’s only nursing school. While more than 100 students may apply each year, the school can only take in 40 trainees—a number that must carry the health system for three years, the standard length of the training program.

“Even among the 40, not all complete the course. Some drop out due to pregnancy, others struggle with performance. So even that small number is not guaranteed,” he added.

This bottleneck has created a ripple effect across hospitals and clinics, leaving existing nurses overworked and limiting the reach of vital health services—particularly in rural and outer island communities.

In provinces such as Tafea, Torba and Penama, clinic staff often double or triple their roles to meet demand, with one nurse sometimes handling duties meant for three or more people. This puts strain not only on the system but also on the well-being and safety of the health workers themselves.

Health leaders are urging the government to expand nursing education, increase scholarships, and invest in infrastructure and support systems that will enable more young people—especially from remote areas—to train and qualify as nurses.

This year’s International Nurses Day, marked under the global theme “Caring for Nurses, Strengthens our Economy,” served as a timely reminder that a resilient and well-supported nursing workforce is not just a health issue—but an economic one.

As the country reflects on the contribution of nurses, today’s celebration called on stakeholders to go beyond appreciation and deliver lasting solutions that ensure every community in Vanuatu has access to qualified, well-equipped nursing care.