The Vanuatu Ministry of Health has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Van2017 to provide medical, allied health and nursing services to the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in December.
The MOU was signed by the Minister of Health, Jerome Ludvaune, Van2017 CEO, Clint Flood and Vanuatu Police Commissioner, Albert Nalpini.
It establishes a clear understanding on the respective responsibilities of the Ministry of Health, Van2017 and the Vanuatu Police Force, in line with the Games Charter.
The MoH and Van2017 are to produce a Medical Service Plan for the Games that will look after the needs of athletes, VIPs, officials, volunteers and spectators who will be participating in the Games in December in Port Vila.
Vanuatu Police Force, who represents Vanuatu Mobile Force, will provide 2 fully equipped ambulances and personnel during the Games. This week, VMF ambulance personnel began training attending ACP meetings in Port Vila as part of the lead up exercises prior to the Games in December.
“Van2017 puts a high emphasis on developing public health and a medical plan for the games,” said CEO Flood. “It is expected it will include a Health and Medical Standard Operating Plan which would be part of the Games’ Legacy.”
Under this MOU, Van2017 is mandated to establish working committees to provide coordination of support to critical private and government agencies in the areas of police and security, environment, airports and medical /health.
In order for an effective coordination of services to be provided, Van2017 signed another contract service agreement with the Ministry of Health for the Medical Services Team.
The contract was signed between CEO Flood and Director General of Health George Taleo, witnessed by Doctor Willy Tokon who is the Director of Curative Services in the Ministry of Health.
Van2017 will assist MoH in identifying items such as medical drugs, consumables and biomedical equipment to ensure medical services are provided to the athletes, VIPs, games staff, volunteers and spectators.
Van2017 Medical Coordinator, Maturine Carlot, said the overall Medic Team for the Games is comprised of 40 technical staff, 40 volunteers, 25 VMF /VPF medical officers, 10 Australian physiotherapists and three Instructors from Sport Medicine Department at the Australian Catholic University.
MoH and VPF will provide their human resource, ambulance assets and emergency equipment to support the health and medical services in the lead-up to and throughout the games.
VPF and VMF medics will undergo emergency, sports medicine and First Aid training in preparing for the Vanuatu 2017 Pacific Mini Games.
Photos supplied
