The Northern Provincial Hospital (NPH), in partnership with other stakeholders such as Vanuatu Skills Partnership, Fisheries, Agriculture and Livestock departments, Vanuatu Agriculture College, Luganville Municipal Council and Department of Trades, anticipate the establishment of a “Farm in hospital” at the NPH by July this year.
This assurance was relayed by NPH Superintendent, Dr. Andy Ilo during the official launch of SANMA health week on Monday.
Dr. Ilo said the NPH Farm will comprise island food, chicken and fish farms.
“There will be challenges to manage the farm to ensure it serves its purpose, but we are hoping that with the stakeholders’ assistance, we will be able to manage the farm to ensure we get fresh products on our doorsteps,” he said.
Dr. Ilo said the health week which is formally known as “NPH week” will now be known as “SANMA Health week”, reflecting the contribution and participation of NPH staff and rural SANMA communities.
“This week, we will be getting food from the south of Santo to the east of SANMA for free,” he said.
With the theme “Fair health for everyone,” the health week engaged all sectors.
Health clinic is free this week and already, the beginning of the health week saw many people lining up to make use of the free services rendered.
Mayor of Luganville Peter Patty congratulated NPH staff for their commitment in serving the SANMA population.