On July 2nd, 2016 the Internet was turned for Maewo Island. We celebrated this occasion and officially launched the Telemedicine portion on Thursday, July 28 2016. The high speed internet made possible by Kacific Broadband Satellite is the only connectivity the hosting village, Naviso, has with the outside world. You can see the videos from the live feed of the event, below.
The guests of Honour included the arrival of the Honourable Prime Minister of Vanuatu Mr. Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas and the Honourable Minister of Health Mr. Daniel Toara via helicopter.
Also honourable guests in attendance (arrived the day before) were Honourable MP Mr. Ian Wilson, DG of Health Mr. George Taleo, Telecommunications and Radiocommunications (TRR) Regulator Mrs. Dalsie Baniala, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) Chief Information Officer Mr. Gerard Metsan, CEO and Board Director of Kacific Broadband Satellite Mr. Christian Patouraux, TRR Universal Access Policy Advisor Mr. Brad Partridge, Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) Secondary Education Coordinator Mrs. Sussie Homu, and OGCIO Representative Mr. John Jack.
The launching celebrates the improved access to healthcare services, connection to doctors and professional health care providers, accurate and timely information, access to learning opportunities and improvement in the livelihoods of our communities, which were all made possible by the communities’ drive and efforts to connect to the Internet.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6 (accidentally labelled part 7 on YouTube)
Excitement is in the air!!! On July 2nd, 2016 our grassroots efforts will finally come to fruition; the Vanuatu Inter-Island Telemedicine and Learning (VITAL) Network Project will connect Naviso and Kerepei villages to the internet! This is a huge step forward as we work to improve the health and well-being of our community. For more information about the project, check out the latest buzz in articles posted by ABC News and the Vanuatu Daily Post.
Quick update brought to you by: Beth Hotchkiss. You can read more about Beth and our other volunteers here!