[Medicine in Vanuatu: a voyage to the end of the earth to Espiritu Santo Island]. / La médecine au Vanuatu: voyage au bout du monde sur l'île d'Espiritu Santo.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The republic of Vanuatu, which was previously termed the Hebrides, has been independant since 1981. Colonization by both France and England has left its numerous marks on this country over the years. The authors spent the year 1997 on the Espiritu Santo Island and report their experience as practitioners at the northern district hospital. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS As Vanuatu is a developing country, medical practice is subject to changes in government, development aid provided by foreign countries and socio-economical conditions. Numerous chronic diseases with historical complications and malpractice are encountered. As well, numerous infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria are still endemic. Means of fighting and preventing infections are great problems, with, for example, deficiencies in immunization programs. Though medical structures are well organized, due to its immature governments and assistance rather than cooperation policies of various helping countries, latitudinarianism is important and medical practice is not continuously organized. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS Several objectives should be considered epidemiological studies in order to reconstitute diseases profiles in this archipelago and, most of all, cooperation that would aim at training and education.