Lenakel Hospital Medical Imaging Officer Daniellah Ebely using the hospital’s mobile x-ray machine after being repaired by the VAHP Biomedical Engineer, allowing the equipment to be put back into clinical service. Photo credit: VAHP

Authors: Prisca Virelala and Jess Plummer – Vanuatu Australia Health Partnership

A new QR code system designed to streamline biomedical repair requests across Vanuatu’s health system has been rolled out at Ministry of Health (MoH) hospitals.

Supported by the Australian Government through the Vanuatu-Australia Health Partnership (VAHP), the QR code system allows provincial staff to log major repairs, order replacement parts, and procure new equipment, with requests actioned by the MoH Biomedical Department based at the Vanuatu National Hospital (VNH). The system is also in use at VNH and Northern Provincial Hospital (NPH), for logging and actioning corrective maintenance work.

MoH Director, Curative & Hospital Services Dr Sereana Natuman says the Ministry is proud to implement the new Asset Registry System, which will help better manage and maintain medical equipment across the country.

“The system will register all Ministry assets, monitor whether equipment is operational, and provide timely reminders for preventive maintenance,” Dr Natuman says.

“This will improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and ensure our doctors, nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals have the tools they need to deliver safe, high-quality healthcare to the people of Vanuatu.”

The new QR code system has been designed and tested by VAHP Biomedical Engineer Mitchell Bourke, and is now live at all MoH hospitals except Quatvaes Hospital (where it will be rolled out later this year). The system will allow staff to quickly report equipment faults by scanning a code and submitting a request from their mobile device.

“This innovation streamlines the reporting process, improves response times and job tracking, and enhances the efficiency and reliability of maintenance services across the entire public healthcare system,” Mr Bourke says.

“The results thus far have been very positive and promising, and we look to build on this early success.”

By strengthening equipment management and maintenance systems, this innovative QR code initiative is helping the Ministry of Health deliver safer, more reliable healthcare services for communities across Vanuatu.

VAHP is an Australian Government initiative supporting the Government of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health (MoH) leadership to strengthen delivery of quality health services for all people across Vanuatu. VAHP encourages effective collaboration across MoH units at the national and provincial levels, while building momentum for locally led health sector reform at the leadership, technical, and corporate levels.

For more on the Vanuatu Australia Health Partnership.

Aidan Arugogona and Billinsly Arutoka pictured at the Fiji National University graduation ceremony. Not pictured: Yonki Lite. Photo credit: VAHP

Authors: Prisca Virelala and Jess Plummer – Vanuatu Australia Health Partnership

With support from the Australian Government, Vanuatu has three new qualified Biomedical Technicians,  representing a significant boost for Vanuatu’s health workforce.

Aidan Arugogona, Billinsly Arutoka and Yonki Lite received their Certificate IV in Biomedical Engineering from Fiji National University in May and are now putting their new skills to use with year-long internships. The Australian Government funding through the Vanuatu Australia Health Partnership (VAHP) allows biomedical technicians to travel to provincial hospitals to provide biomedical services.

Ministry of Health (MoH) Director of Curative & Hospital Services Dr Sereana Natuman says she is incredibly proud of the new biomedical interns for completing their training.

“This marks an important milestone in building local capacity. Biomedical technicians and engineers play a vital role in maintaining our medical equipment, ensuring our doctors, nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals have the reliable tools they need to provide safe, high-quality care,” Dr Natuman says.

“Investing in more biomedical professionals is an investment in the future of healthcare in Vanuatu”.

Graduate Yonki Lite says he enjoys working for the Ministry of Health, especially travelling to the outer islands on provincial hospital visits and learning new skills.

“Undertaking the Biomedical Certificate IV in Fiji has really helped me understand what it takes to be an effective Biomed working in the Pacific,” Mr Lite says.

Fellow graduate Aidan Arugogona says servicing medical devices to maintain their performance is extremely important for a functional healthcare system.

Mr Arugogona expressed his hope that, as the new Biomedical Department continues to develop, it will expand its workforce to include more technicians and engineers who can support the maintenance of medical devices across the country, rather than being concentrated solely in Port Vila.

The three graduates are now undertaking a year-long internship program supported by VAHP, with Aidan and Yonki at Vanuatu National Hospital (VNH) under the supervision of Australian Biomedical Engineer Mitchell Bourke and Senior Biomedical Technician Joel Siri. Billinsly is based at the Northern Provincial Hospital (NPH) under the supervision of Senior Biomedical Technician Oswald Malisa. 

Mr Bourke says the internship program is designed to complement the graduates’ biomedical studies by providing them with hands-on experience in a vast array of healthcare environments, including clinical departments such as Radiology, Laboratory, Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Department.

“This program supports graduates in developing practical technical competencies, professional workplace skills, and a deeper understanding of biomedical practices while learning on the job under experienced supervision,” Mr Bourke says.

As these three new biomedical technician graduates begin their careers in Vanuatu’s health system, they bring not only valuable technical expertise but also a shared commitment to strengthening hospital services and ensuring medical equipment remains reliable, safe, and available for patients across the country.

VAHP is an Australian Government initiative supporting the Government of Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health (MoH) leadership to strengthen delivery of quality health services for all people across Vanuatu. VAHP encourages effective collaboration across MoH units at the national and provincial levels, while building momentum for locally led health sector reform at the leadership, technical, and corporate levels.

For more on the Vanuatu Australia Health Partnership.

DT Global is pleased to announce the newest cohort of participants selected for the Emerging Leaders in International Development (ELID) Program. 

Following a rigorous and competitive selection process, 15 emerging leaders from nine countries across the Asia–Pacific region have been chosen to join the latest cohort. Each participant brings a strong commitment to advancing development outcomes in their respective contexts and to strengthening their leadership capabilities within the sector. 

The diversity of backgrounds and experiences represented in the cohort underscores DT Global’s ongoing commitment to embedding its Locally Led Development Framework, which places local leadership and decision-making at the centre of development practice. 

Leonie Whyte, DT Global APAC’s Head of Program Quality and Gender, welcomed the incoming cohort and highlighted the importance of the program’s role in strengthening leadership capability across the development sector. 

“Each year, the ELID Program provides an opportunity to support emerging leaders who are driving meaningful change in their communities,” Leonie said. “This cohort reflects the depth of talent across our region, and DT Global is committed to equipping them with the leadership skills and platforms needed to further their impact.” 

Over the next 12 months, participants will undertake an intensive, primarily online learning program focused on a range of leadership models, including Adaptive Leadership. The curriculum is designed to enhance participants’ ability to apply these approaches within their professional roles. The program will also include group and individual coaching sessions and dedicated modules on development effectiveness, decolonization in the international development sector, and the importance of locally led development.  

In early December, the cohort convened in Canberra for a week-long professional development retreat held in conjunction with the Australasian AID Conference. The retreat included in-person workshops and coaching sessions delivered by ETM Perspectives, an Indigenous-owned and operated organisation specialising in transformational and adaptive leadership. 

ELID participant, Telstar Jimmy, with the Balance of Power project in Vanuatu said that leadership is more than just titles and positions. 

“It’s about service and role modelling. Its about inspiring and empowering those around us. Its sharing the growth journey with our teams in development cooperation, but also within our communities, our faith-based settings and especially our families and children” she said. 

“Leading in the right way within the development sector is crucial for laying a strong foundation for future generations” 

DT Global extends its congratulations to all participants and looks forward to supporting their leadership development in the year ahead. 

On Friday, November 21, DT Global was honoured to celebrate the graduation of our latest cohort of Emerging Leaders in International Development (ELID).

This year’s online graduation ceremony brought together participants from across the Asia–Pacific region, alongside dignitaries and guest speakers from DFAT. We were also joined by First Nations Leadership Coaches from Perspectivas de ETM, colleagues, friends, and staff from both corporate and project offices.

Leonie Whyte, Head of Program Quality and Gender at DT Global Asia-Pacific, reflected on the purpose and impact of the program. She shared that “DT Global is strongly committed to locally led development because we know it is fundamental to achieving effective and enduring change. We are incredibly proud of the Emerging Leaders in International Development Program — our people are at the heart of our organisation. ELID provides leaders with skills, networks, and support to guide them on their leadership journeys. They are driving change, strengthening local systems, and embodying the values that guide our work.”

Throughout the event, our Emerging Leaders reflected on their 12-month leadership journey — sharing insights on the value of learning with First Nations providers, the impact of applying adaptive leadership approaches in their work, and how the program has strengthened their contributions to locally led development.

Rosamond Bing a graduating Emerging Leader and Deputy Director for the Tonga Australia Support Program said that the ELID program has been a catalyst for accelerating locally led development:

“By encouraging local perspectives, peer learning, and shared solutions to common challenges, ELID has strengthened leadership capacity and built resilience across the region.”

Congratulations to our graduating Emerging Leaders! We look forward to seeing the impact you will continue to make across the region.

DT Global is excited to announce the appointment of Neil Durnan as Country Manager for our DT Global Asia Pacific Indonesia office. In this role, Neil will engage with core clients, drive responsible growth, ensure excellence in program implementation for the office, and lead a team of high performing staff.  

“I’m thrilled to have Neil on board in Indonesia leading our country operations,” says Danielle Alford, Head of Asia at DT Global. “Neil brings to the role a breadth of senior management experience across program management, program effectiveness and operations — which is ideally suited to our diverse portfolio in Indonesia. We welcome Neil to this important leadership role in our APAC business.” 

Neil draws on over 18 years of experience managing technical assistance and operations for large scale development projects with a range of agencies in complex environments in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Previously, he served as the Senior Director of Operations and Senior Director of Program Effectiveness for DT Global US.  

Neil’s commitment to operational and technical excellence, his long track record of work with DT Global and within the development sector, and his experience creating systems to enhance efficiency in project delivery were all key factors for his appointment to this role. 

“I am very excited to join DT Global’s stellar Indonesia team,” says Neil. “Our portfolio includes cutting edge development programming across a range of sectors backed by some of the most talented practitioners anywhere in the world. Additionally, after many years of partnering with my APAC colleagues on global initiatives, I am looking forward to officially being part of the team and working with DFAT.”