The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $10 million grant to help reduce the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and expand access to quality healthcare in four northern provinces of Vanuatu—Malampa, Penama, Sanma, and Torba. The Northern Provinces Health and Treatment Project aims to strengthen provincial health systems to improve early diagnosis, treatment, and management of NCDs, including cervical cancer, which has become a pressing public health concern in the country.
A key component of the project is the establishment of a dedicated NCD health facility at the Northern Provincial Hospital in Luganville. This center will provide advanced treatment services for chronic conditions and enhance the overall capacity of the local health system. According to ADB Regional Director Jyotsana Varma, the initiative marks a significant milestone for Vanuatu’s healthcare system by expanding its ability to provide quality care and bringing the country closer to achieving universal health coverage under the National Health Sector Strategy 2021–2030.
Vanuatu faces a rising NCD crisis, driven by lifestyle changes such as reduced physical activity, poor diet, and increased tobacco and alcohol consumption. NCDs now account for 74% of total deaths, up from 67% in 2000. The project seeks to counter these trends by building the skills of healthcare staff to better diagnose and manage NCD cases while promoting healthy living through collaboration with communities and local organizations.
Funded by ADB’s Asian Development Fund, which provides grants to the region’s poorest and most vulnerable nations, the project represents a critical investment in the health and resilience of Vanuatu’s population. The fund has helped lift hundreds of thousands out of poverty and create jobs across Asia and the Pacific. Through this initiative, ADB continues its mission to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development in the region.
