Who We Are
For some years members of Churches of Christ have seen the need for improving the standard of medical services in Northern Vanuatu. Churches of Christ Medical Santo is a Christian not-for-profit humanitarian medical aid organisation, registered in Vanuatu as a Charitable Association to provide Primary Health Services and support the existing health services in Northern Vanuatu. This is a project supported by Churches of Christ in Queensland, New Zealand and Vanuatu. There is an Executive Committee that manage and monitor this project to ensure that medical services provided are in line with the needs of the communities.
We are dedicated to integrating Medical Santo in partnership with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health to provide support and to capacity build the local medical staff which respects the local community, meets human needs both physical and spiritual, and works for a lasting change in the lives of all those we interact with.
Where It Began
The Dream
Are you a compassionate person? Do you live in a country that has medical facilities that you can call on 24 hours a day? Most living in the Northern Islands of Vanuatu have never Dreamed of these medical services. Death and serious sickness in these communities is too common and family and friends are lost through many treatable illnesses. Medical Santo was a Dream created from the resources, determination and hard work of some very committed Christian families from Vanuatu, Australia and New Zealand. Families who saw the need and were determined to be part of the solution.
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First Steps
With the help of friends and businesses from Vanuatu, New Zealand and Australia we purchased and renovated our clinic in Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo. From here with the help of numerous volunteers we provide medical services and support through staffing, training and resources to the local Northern District Hospital. With the signing of our MOU with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health that clearly articulates the commitment of both parties to work together to achieve positive outcomes for the people, Medical Santo is committed long term to Partnering in Sustainable Health in Northern Vanuatu.
First Steps
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Today
First year Volunteers? 16 doctors, 42 nurses, 6 paramedics, 7 specialists, 4 educators as well as many other supporters have given medical attention and support to over 1200 patients in our clinic as well as over 750 patients assessed in their work place with age, weight, blood pressure and blood sugar checks taken including education sessions on the cause and symptoms of NCD’s and how to ease these diseases with good nutrition and healthy living. What an effort by our generous volunteers.
Today
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Tomorrow
We are currently looking for a long term volunteer Senior Doctors to provide clinical treatment, governance, and medical supervision as well as coordinate medical care, leadership and management of the clinic’s medical services.
This position will work with the in country Service Manager to develop ongoing, sustainable service delivery across primary health services, women’s clinics, facilitate visiting medical specialists, education and training to rural and island communities.
We need to secure a substantial funding base to provide the best medical services in the most efficient manner to those in most need. We will employ more ni-Vanuatu medical staff to Partner in Sustainable Health building medical capacity, education and training into the rural and island communities.
First Steps
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The Support Team
Allen Cox | General Manager
Allen Cox is the General Manager for Medical Santo and with his wife Lyn, David and Joanne Ellaby and Keith Wilson were original founders of Medical Santo.
Allen got involved with Medical Santo when he realised that he has so much medical care in Australia and that his Vanuatu friends have so little. Allen is passionate about bringing quality health care to all people in the Northern Islands of Vanuatu. Allen with the help of many others developed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health that supports Medical Santo’s Mission Statement in Partnering in Sustainable Heath Solutions in Northern Vanuatu. He develops partnerships with other health care organisations to encourage cooperation and make the best use of resources and equipment. He assists with the building and construction needs of the clinic and the volunteers that make this happen.
Allen and his family first visited Vanuatu for 4 months in 1993 as volunteers and they have returned many times since with work teams to various islands. Allen and Lyn spent 4 years from 2008 as volunteers in close support of Londua Technical College on West Ambae.
Allen and his wife have owned a business on the Sunshine Coast for over 28 years employing up to 27 staff. His long term plan was to retire at 55 but God had other plans and Allen has been enjoying these new challenges. Life in God’s service is never boring and amazing.
Lyn Cox | Business Coordinator
In this position Lyn makes sure that there is finance available for all probabilities and she is passionate about her role and the role of Medical Santo in the community. She is the Treasurer on the Executive Committee and a founding member. This covers the accounts, the registration and immigration requirements of Volunteers, Vanuatu Government requirements to run the business of Medical Santo and the employing of ni-Vanuatu staff and a host of other day to day issues.
Lyn is well able to make the money stretch as she has been the co-director of their family company for the past 28 years that employs between 25-30 staff in the building industry and at one time managed the business when Allen worked overseas for 7 months. She has a Diploma in Business Management and has twice been a finalist in the HIA Business Partner of the Year – in 2007 winning the Qld title. She loves numbers and hates filling out meaningless paperwork. Her most important achievements are 35 years of marriage, 3 adult sons and knowing that God loves her no matter how often she fails Him. She now also cares for extended family in Australia.
Since 1993 Lyn with her husband Allen have had significant involvement in Vanuatu, hosting many ni-Vanuatu in their home for extended periods and travelling to Vanuatu in excess of 45 times to assist where needed. Through her work with Medical Santo she now looks to changing lives in Northern Vanuatu both physically and spiritually.
Keith Wilson | Cultural Liaison Adviser
Keith Wilson provides enormous support and advice to the Medical Santo clinic, staff and Executive Committee. Keith is an original founder of Medical Santo and is one of the Executive Committee members of Churches of Christ Medical Santo inc. which is the Vanuatu registered Charitable Association called Medical Santo.
Keith and his wife Anne have owned a shipping business in Vanuatu for many years. They have a comprehensive understanding of the Vanuatu cultural life and are aware of many issues with the changing of many communities to a Western lifestyle. Keith meets with many government departments to coordinate the support, resourcing and future planning of the Medical Santo health objectives and also in the cooperation and planning we have with the Ministry of Health management and staff.
His understanding of the Vanuatu culture and processes of government assist Medical Santo to be an effective medical resource in the Northern Islands. This has opened the way for Medical Santo to provide primary health care from our clinic in Luganville, medical care to rural communities on Santo, Tutuba, and West Ambae and in the future to all Northern Islands. Keith with his wife Anne are committed Christians and a valuable link for Medical Santo relationships with many island, community and church groups.
Chris Lancaster | Projects & Aid Development Officer
In this position he liaises with government departments, corporate entities and other not for profit organisations in seeking aid and developing projects for the clinic.
He comes with considerable experience having held senior management and executive positions for over 20 years in Australia. Now semi retired Chris volunteers his time to support the important work of Medical Santo.
Chris holds two post graduate degrees in Professional and Business Management; and he is a Justice of the Peace and is an Associate Member of the Australian Institute of Management. Chris is also an Elder with the Christian Fellowship of Noosa in Queensland Australia where he and his wife Lyn both worship. They have four grown up children and seven grandchildren.
The Team on the Ground
Dennison | Receptionist
Dennison assists volunteers to understand and learn the clinic service delivery, operations and outcomes.
She ensures the clinic is open ready for patients during business hours and all patients are cared for and supported in a timely manner. In addition, she maintains patient and financial records.
Dennison also supports the Service Manager in the management of the clinic and promotes Medical Santo within the local communities
Jeflex | Trainee Clinical Assistant
Jeflex is a Trainee Clinical Assistant, supervised by the Clinical Practice Manager.
He Assists all medical staff with basic patient observation and translation when required. He keeps all materials clean, re-sterilised and restocked as instructed.
Jeflex is also on call to assist medical staff for emergency out of clinic calls.
Jane | First Impressions Officer
Jane is responsible for maintaining the clinic, accommodation buildings and surrounding grounds. She ensures that they clean and tidy way at all times for staff and patients.
She works with the team to provide a good first impression of clinic facilities to all patients presenting for care.
Jane also assists with minor jobs helping the staff to provide an efficient service.
Yes Please!