PORT VILA, Vanuatu — Emphasis on malaria prevention and dealing with unique health problems associated with tropical climates was the emphasis of a visit to these islands by Dr. Don Doty, chairman of the Missionary Department's Health Services, and his associate, Dr. Robert Maddock. They were accompanied by Robert P. Swenson, director of Missionary Services, who conducted missionary training.
The group arrived March 7 and met first with missionaries in Port Vila. At the doctors' request, they toured local medical facilities available for treating missionaries. They visited Port Vila Central Hospital and met with Dr. Willie Tokon and hospital administrator Leipakoa Matariki. Dr. Tokon escorted the group on a tour of the hospital
They also visited the Vila Bay Health Centre where they met with the private hospital's administrator Dr. Rachel Wells. Following the interview the doctors were given a tour of the facility.
While the visitors were here, two 40-foot humanitarian aid containers with medical kits, hygiene kits, school kits, clothing, orphanage modules and other items arrived in Port Vila and were distributed by Church members. The visitors were taken to the wharf where they observed institute students loading a small inter-island transport ship with humanitarian supplies leaving for the islands of Ambae and Santo. Supplies were later loaded on board two other ships for the islands of Malekula, Uripiv, Bank Islands and Tanna.
The group of visitors was then taken to a small village on the main island of Efate, which has 500 residents, with no water, telephone, electricity or sewage system. Villagers walk two miles to a river where they wash clothes, bathe and carry water bottles back to the village. Priesthood leaders are working through the humanitarian program of the Church to install water collection tanks throughout the village. Nine tanks have been installed, and two additional ones have been connected to the single roof tank of the bush chapel.
These tanks are for the use of members and neighbors and are a blessing for the older villagers who find the walk to the river very difficult. The younger children who were struggling with scabies infection due to lack of bathing water now have clean water to drink and in which to bathe.
The visitors were shown this water project. Distribution of the humanitarian items was taking place in the Etas bush chapel where they observed firsthand the very loving, orderly and appreciative atmosphere of the villagers. The distribution of goods was conducted by priesthood brethren. Members' and neighbors' family names were listed on the chalkboard, and two or three were called in at a time to select clothes, shoes and other items.
The visitors were introduced to Sister Mary Iassi, a member of the Church for 27 years who had just been able to attend the Suva Fiji Temple in January. Sister Mary invited the visitors to her little house near the chapel where she proudly brought out a picture of herself and two other sisters who attended the temple together. She then walked them through the village, pointing out pineapple plants, grapefruit trees, komola and taro plants.
The last stop on their tour was the Namaburu School where 400 humanitarian school kits were being distributed.
Mariella Kaun, translation coordinator for the Vila District, and Fred Massing, counselor in the Vila District presidency, made the arrangements for the distribution of school kits. Flower leis were presented to the honored guests by the students. The students sang a beautiful song of "thanks" in French. School kits were received by all the students, who showed their appreciation with smiling faces.
The doctors, upon departure, said they enjoyed their two days in Vanuatu. Dr. Doty said, "We have seen the best of the best in humanitarian work."
