The Pacifika Medical Association (PMA) has joined forces with Australia to bolster mental health support in Tonga and Vanuatu through the Ngalu Fānifo initiative. This project aims to strengthen the capacity of health and community providers to deliver effective mental health care in both nations.
Dr. Kiki Maoate, President of PMA, noted that the Ngalu Fānifo project builds upon the efforts of PMA’s emergency response teams, known as PACMAT. These teams were deployed in response to the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, as well as Cyclones Kevin and Judy in Vanuatu.
Dr. Sereana Natuman, Director of Curative & Hospital Services at Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health, described the Ngalu Fānifo project as a pivotal advancement in enhancing the nation’s mental health services. “We believe that this initiative will establish a foundation for a sustainable and community-centered approach to mental health, fostering healthier and more resilient communities,” she said.
PMA Chief Executive Debbie Sorensen shared that the Ngalu Fānifo team recently completed their initial visits to both countries. “The feedback from communities and government officials has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the need for mental health support that is family-centered, community-led, and culturally sensitive,” Sorensen remarked.
The Ngalu Fānifo initiative will collaborate with health ministries, healthcare providers, and community and faith-based NGOs in Tonga and Vanuatu. The project will focus on co-designing training pathways and supporting the implementation of sustainable mental health care models.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Framework for the Future of Mental Health in the Western Pacific 2023-2030 reveals that over 215 million people in the region suffer from mental health conditions. The 2019 Global Burden of Disease report noted a significant increase in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to anxiety, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, dementia, and self-harm from 1990 to 2019.
While the WHO’s 2013-2020 action plan showed some progress in advancing mental health, the Framework notes that the shift towards community-based care has been slower than anticipated. Although mental health promotion and prevention programs have expanded, their impact remains uncertain.
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