The Vanuatu digital health strategy 2025–2030

The Vanuatu Digital Health Strategy 2025–2030, developed by the Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization, outlines a structured plan to modernise the country’s healthcare system through digital technologies. It responds to the limited performance of the previous strategy (2019–2021), where only 5% of planned actions were completed due to infrastructural and organisational constraints.

The strategy is organised around five pillars:

1. Strengthening health information systems – institutionalising data governance, digitising records, and promoting evidence-based decision-making.
2. Expanding universal health coverage – using tools like telemedicine and mobile apps to reach remote populations and integrating the National ID as a National Health Number.
3. Improving patient continuity of care – deploying integrated systems such as a National Electronic Health Record, Immunisation Registry, and Laboratory and Radiology Information Systems.
4. Building climate-resilient health systems – implementing early warning systems for disease outbreaks and strengthening disaster preparedness.
5. Strengthening foundational infrastructure – addressing gaps in staffing, IT infrastructure, legal frameworks, and adopting interoperability standards.

The strategy adopts a phased, adaptive approach supported by a costed implementation roadmap and a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. Sustainability measures include workforce development, off-the-shelf resilient infrastructure, and public-private partnerships.

Implementation is projected to cost over US$10 million over six years, primarily funded by development partners. Prioritised ‘no-regrets’ investments will begin immediately, with larger systems phased in as resources allow.

Key challenges include insufficient staffing, unreliable connectivity, cybersecurity risks, and fragmented data systems. To address these, the strategy emphasises governance reform, alignment with national health plans, and close coordination with the Department of Communications and Digital Transformation.