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
Author: 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.
