More than 230 ni-Vanuatu patients have received specialist consultations and dozens have undergone life-changing surgeries following a visit by an Australian-supported Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgical team from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

The visiting team worked alongside clinicians at Vanuatu National Hospital, providing 234 consultations and performing 34 surgeries for patients living with chronic ear infections, hearing loss, thyroid conditions, tonsil and adenoid problems, nasal disorders and other head and neck conditions.

The mission forms part of the long-standing partnership between the Vanuatu Ministry of Health and the Australian Government, which brings Australian specialist surgeons to Vanuatu to provide treatments that are not normally available in the country.

In addition to treating patients, the team focused on building local capacity by training doctors, nurses and anaesthetic staff through hands-on experience in clinics and operating theatres. The training covered surgical care, patient management and post-operative follow-up.

Director of Curative Services, Dr Sereana Natuman, said the visit marks another important step in strengthening specialist healthcare services in Vanuatu.

“Beyond providing high-quality care to our patients, the team worked closely alongside our local clinicians, sharing skills and building capacity that will have a lasting impact on our health system.”

The Ministry of Health’s ENT Unit welcomed the continued support of visiting specialist teams, noting that access to ENT services remains limited and many patients have lived with complex ear, nose and throat conditions for years without treatment options available in Vanuatu.

Health officials say partnerships such as this not only improve access to specialist medical care but also strengthen the country’s ability to provide these services locally in the future.