Launch of Community Leadership Cohort in Tasmalum to Strengthen Inclusive Health Services
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Public Service Commission (PSC) through the Vanuatu Institute of Public Administration and Management (VIPAM), has launched the Community Leadership Cohort in Tasmalum, Santo Island, on the 19th of September 2024. The orientation program stated this week bringing together 16 individuals with key responsibilities from the South Santo One and Two Area Councils. This leadership training will equip them with leadership skills aimed at enhancing delivery of quality, inclusive health services in their communities.
Mrs Judith Melsul, Human Resources Manager at the Ministry of Health and Mrs. Pala Luen, VIPAM Manager, lead an Australian-funded Community Leadership Cohort in Tasmalum, South Santo
This cohort is the third in a series of leadership development initiatives. Two previous cohorts, comprising 36 officers, including 29 senior female officers and 7 senior male officers, from the Ministry of Health and in Sanma Province. These initiatives are part of an ongoing effort to improve leadership capacity within the health sector at the national, provincial, and community levels.
The leadership initiative, funded by the Vanuatu-Australia Partnership, focuses on professional development of the participants in the areas of understanding the overarching policies of the government systems at multiple levels, understanding the change of mindset, learning new skills in collaborative work, identifying opportunities for increased synergy, and addressing local challenges in a cost-effective manner. The program emphasises effective communication, knowledge of colleagues to strengthen teamwork, and a deep understanding of the local context to foster impactful, community-led solutions.
Sanma Province and South Santo One are the first regions to benefit from this initiative, with Tasmalum Health Centre serving as the pilot site. This locally-led initiative models a decentralised approach to primary health care, providing empirical testing of solutions designed to deliver efficient and effective health services.
"It is important to break barriers and bring leaders together to discuss strategies for delivering quality services," said Mrs Judith Melsul, Human Resources Manager at the Ministry of Health.
VIPAM’s Manager, Mrs. Pala Luen, also praised the initiative: "I commend the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the Sanma Provincial Government, and the Department of Local Authorities for partnering with PSC/VIPAM to support community leaders in gaining new leadership skills. This initiative is a key step toward ensuring that the leaders will change their mindset and increase their capacity to improve the quality services required."
This leadership program is part of the Ministry of Health's broader efforts to ensure that health services across Vanuatu are delivered effectively, inclusively, and sustainably, with a strong emphasis on community-driven leadership and capacity building.