The Republic of Vanuatu is an archipelago consisting of 83 small islands in the South Pacific. The population of 270,312 is young and predominantly rural. The region is subject to a range of natural threats, reflected in the country’s number one ranking on the World Risk Index. The frequency and scale of natural disasters hamper economic progress.
Vanuatu’s population health outcomes have improved despite hurdles
Life expectancy in Vanuatu increased from 68 to 72 years between 2000 and 2014. Vanuatu records significant improvements in managing malaria and tuberculosis. The infant mortality rate was 23 per 1,000 live births in 2015, and the under-five mortality rate was 28. Childhood immunization coverage is improving but remains volatile. Noncommunicable diseases account for 70% of all deaths and impose significant economic cost on families, society and on health system resources. The youth bulge is an increasing priority for health services, particularly adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Vanuatu is suffering the classic “double burden of disease” – like most other countries in the region.[1]
Health expenditure, funded mainly by the government, depends highly on external funding
Vanuatu’s health policy focuses on protecting the achievements that have been made over recent years while continuing to improve a broader range of health outcomes. This requires effective management of changes in financial and other institutional arrangements in the health sector.
References
[1] World Bank. 2018. Vanuatu Health Financing System Assessment: Spend Better. © World Bank, Washington, DC
[2] Global Health Expenditure Database, World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/nha/database