Port Vila, Vanuatu - On Tuesday, February 1, the Ministry of Health in partnership with Peace Corps Vanuatu and the Australian Government delivered a Training of Trainers to over 30 participants from non-government organisations about the Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System (VOAS). The partners also launched a mascot design contest to raise awareness of the VOAS and create a logo. The VOAS was launched in August 2021 by Minister of Health, Hon. Silas Bule Melve. Since then and in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been used by the Government to provide clear instructions to the population of Vanuatu.
Participants of the Training of Trainers about Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System with representatives of Ministry of Health and Peace Corps personnel
The VOAS is the first outbreak alert system developed by a Pacific Island Country. It aims to inform the public about outbreaks or increases of communicable diseases. The Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System has four levels of alert. Each level describes the measures that members of the public need to take based on the risk level. Levels are set by the Ministry of Health.
To ensure the public follows the appropriate measures indicated, the Ministry of Health has been working with Peace Corps to develop a training of trainers to disseminate information about the Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System down to communities across the country.
“The VOAS was officially launched and advertised by our traditional media. However, face-to-face engagement with our communities is necessary to ensure people understand and follow instructions of our alert system should a COVID-19 outbreak occur,” said Wendy Williams, Surveillance Manager of the Ministry of Health.
“The Ministry of Health thanks Peace Corps, the Australian Government and all NGO partners for their support in raising awareness of the Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System in communities across Vanuatu,” she concluded.
“The next big engagement in raising awareness about the first ever Pacific Outbreak Alert System is selecting the mascot for the VOAS. The mascot design contest will remain open until, Monday, February 6th. After that time, Erin E. Mckee United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, along with representatives from Ministry of Health, will select the winning design,” said Penny Alexander, Peace Corps Country Director.
“This training is a good initiative to explain the four level of alerts to our people including those with disability. The delivery of community awareness will also provide another opportunity to remind our safety measures including vaccination and explain other COVID-19 related issues,” said Leitare Joel, Senior Program and Inclusive Officer for Save the Children.
The Ministry of Health will also train people from traditional and effective networks to ensure most of the population understand VOAS and abides by its instructions to protect Vanuatu and save lives.
Helen Tamata from Action Aid receives her certificate from the Ministry of Health Surveillance Officer, Aleesha Kalulu and Peace Corps Country Director, Penny Alexander