TAFEA Health Care Association Incorporated

We consist of three health centres distributed throughout Tanna Island to enable us to reach more people with necessary health care.

An extremely important project we are undertaking at present is the construction of a life-saving maternity hospital that will service not only Tanna Island but four other provincial islands (Aneityum, Futuna, Erromango, and Aniwa).

Outside the clinic

The Tafea Health Care Association provides essential healthcare to the Tafea Province, in Vanuatu.

Jeannie Barton (Founder)

The Story

Having seen the lack of basic healthcare first hand, Jeannie and her husband Warren built an Aid Post at Loanialu in 2013 with the combined assistance from Toowoomba Rotary Inc. and Mitsukaido, Japan. Three years later on 26 June 2016, the Vanuatu Government upgraded its status to a Medical Dispensary in recognition of the nursing care given to the community. This was exciting news for the Committee as it recognised the significant improvement in the health of these communities and encouraged us to advance the work of the Tafea Health Care Association.

One major goal is to provide an appropriate building to meet the range of healthcare needs that a dispensary service necessitates.

Achievements to Date:

2013 - 2014: Commencement of a health clinic at Kapalpal School, Loanialu, Tanna Island, benefiting school children's health. Construction of a shower block and health clinic costing $30,000 AUD, made possible by a generous donation from the Toowoomba Rotary Inc.
Hiring and training of a Village Health Worker to care for their communities.
Construction of Aid Posts benefiting schools and communities.
Employment of Village Health Workers for healthcare needs.
Regular supply of first aid to 12 schools, medications, and dental clinics.
Extensive antenatal care and paid transportation support for pregnant women.
Paid emergency transport to Lenakel hospital or a plane to Port Vila.
Relief efforts post-cyclones and extensive community building repairs.
Educational support for health staff, domestic violence education, and community-wide health education programs.
Maternity care packages and support for women's hygiene.
Supplies of sanitary items for women.
Employment opportunities for local communities through our building projects.
Healthcare support for 10 orphan children living in Indonesia.
Commencement of Maternity Building at Lenakel Hospital, a wonderful addition that will provide pregnancy healthcare for 5 islands. The Lenakel Hospital is thankful for this maternity construction due to overcrowding of the present facilities.

“A healthy community is a happy one. Become a vital part of the solution.”

— JEANNIE BARTON, FOUNDER

The Challenges

Rugged terrain and limited transport makes travel difficult to the provincial hospital at Lenakel. For ease of access a clinic was established in the Loanialu area to provide easier access to a health facility.

Mt Yasur, an active volcano, is less than 10km from the clinic. The ash pervades the local community and causes constant challenges affecting the quality of life, for example diseases, lack of food, and keeping the make-shift clinic clean.

With a mandate from the government to expand our services, the most immediate challenge is to raise funds to build a new clinic to withstand the physical environmental rigours and provide an upgraded and clean health facility.

Help us to assist these communities in our endeavour to give emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual health care.

Tafea Health Care Association Inc. is a non-profit Australian registered charity. Our organisation provides health services for isolated communities on Tanna island in Vanuatu. Please consider donating to this worthy cause https://www.tafeahealth.com/new-clinic/

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

Get Involved

Make a DONATion

Share their story