Vanuatu Family Health Association

 This is one of the clinics in which I (Annie) work. It is the only fully functioning family-based clinic in Luganville, apart from Out Patients at the hospital. It is an NGO, funded by the IPPF.

There are two nurses who work here, seeing all comers on a drop-in basis. They proudly stay open through lunch break, meaning they very often do not get a break themselves. They can see up to about 40-50 people a day between them, and these are full consultations, not just a quick 10mins!      (A pre-test HIV counselling could last up to an hour...hard to do when you know there are a dozen people or more waiting to see you.)                                                                                                                                      





Elvina, the receptionist/runner/cleaner/general helper at her desk with her new laptop!                                                                                                                                                                     

  

People waiting patiently. They come in to the clinic in dribs and drabs, and are treated to (very professional) health education videos on all subjects from Malaria/STIs/drug abuse/women's rights to condom use as they wait.

Nwarecar at her desk in her clinic room. She is skilled, professional,interested, trusted and ever cheerful.!  She sees a lot of women-and men-for STI treatment, Family Planning,( including coil insertion), children, skin problems, malaria, asthma, viral illness, anything that comes. And of course, she does testing for HIV/Syphilis and Hep B.
She is helped by Julie, the other clinic nurse, and occasionally me. Sadly for me I do little clinical work as I am deeply involved in funding applications/organising workshops/planning outreach services. I shall try to see more patients in due course as my Bislama improves, (though I do see FP clients now and can teach condom use in Bislama!)




Overflow of people waiting outside the clinic where it is marginally cooler.
Lots of children are brought here, but all vaccinations are done at the Rural Health Clinic in town.  

       

Annie, Elvina and a cheerful little helper (left, Julies adopted daughter) at the day's end.