[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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\u2019s number one ranking on the World Risk Index. The frequency and scale of natural disasters hamper economic progress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Vanuatu\u2019s population health outcomes have improved despite hurdles” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 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 \u201cdouble burden of disease\u201d \u2013 like most other countries in the region.[1]<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Health expenditure, funded mainly by the government, depends highly on external funding” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=” HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Vanuatu\u2019s current health expenditure (CHE) accounts for 4% of GDP. This percentage comprises government funding with 66%, out-of-pocket payments with 7% and external sources with 24%. The health sector depends highly on external funding, with development partners providing one out of every four vatu spent on health.[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 4 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Vanuatu\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 9 – Footnotes” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”13px” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n [1]<\/span> World Bank. 2018. Vanuatu Health Financing System Assessment: Spend Better. \u00a9 World Bank, Washington, DC<\/span><\/p>\n