Ok so you’ve booked your flights and have decided to head off to the island of Espiritu Santo Vanuatu for a little rest and relaxation. You’ve organised everything and paid for your travel insurance in case anything happens to you while you’re on holiday.
Everything you’ve done is right but the one thing that I never thought about in all the times we’ve traveled is what will the hospitals be like should I really need them in an emergency. For some avid readers of our travel blog wills say wait a minute, I’ve been to an overseas hospital for dental treatment, but this is different. What if while you were in a remote part of the island or even in the resort you had a heart attack or broke a limb?
Believe me when I say that there are some places in the world that don’t have a ambulance service. So while all that money you forked out for travel insurance will serve you no good if there is no way to get you the specialized transport to the hospital.
On our last trip to Espiritu Santo Vanuatu I got the opportunity to meet a remarkable you man, Andrew. He has a vision for the island by providing the Island with not one but two ambulances. Up until July 2014 the Island had no emergency service.
We had a set of crutches from a motorcycle accident I had a couple of years ago and some medical supplies that we had purchased. Andrew was really appreciative and when asked what we could do to help his response was ”we need money”. It’s hard to pay the rent and staff wages with medical supplies.
I understood that Andrew was being direct and I pressed further explaining that we had purchased land on the Island and that we’d do what every we could to help. Andrew had contacted several companies including a large multinational travel company who unfortunately never responded. We know why, as with all large corporations it’s all about the bottom line. Pro Medical is not registered as a charity outside of Vanuatu and therefore isn’t a tax deductible donation for many countries.
Elena and I argued with each other in the car as we left. I really want to help, but as she said so many large companies are answerable to their shareholders who want a good return. I agree with Elena’s point, however it will only be when a CEO of a large company is faced with this situation of no medial service in their moment of need that they will realize that all the tax write-offs won’t save them in their moment of need.
At this sage Pro Medical operates from both Port Vila and from Luganville here in Vanuatu and has no website. I mentioned to Andrew that I write my own travel blog and while I’m no web developer I’m more than happy to build a website and do what I can to help raise funds to give Pro Medical what they so desperately need, a good platform to receive donations. Currently Andrew has a Facebook page, but as he said a social media page doesn’t have the same credibility that comes with a stand alone website.
So, until I manage to etch out a site for Pro Medical, please like Andrew’s Pro Medial Facebook page and donate, the people of Vanuatu thank you and hope that one day you visit their Island Paradise….. Oh yes come visit us too 🙂
In local Bislama we say to all who donate….. “Tanku Tumas”
Here is Pro Medical’s Facebook Page.
ProMedical is a Not-For-Profit Charity ambulance service servicing the residents and visitors to Santo, Vanuatu.
To ensure we deliver international standard ambulance care to the community we need world class equipment.
Our biggest need now is a Defibrillator/ECG Monitor with extras to monitor blood pressure, oxygen levels and carbon dioxide levels.
This essential piece of equipment will be used to detect and treat abnormal heart rhythms and heart attacks and monitor vital signs.
Please help us provide life saving care to the people and visitors to Santo, Vanuatu.
Please click on the “Go Fund Me” logo below to donate
