21 st May 2015 RMNCAH Working Group Chair: Apisai Tokon

Before TC PamImmediately after (first 72hrs) Emergency phase (72hrs to 6 weeks) MOH network of Health facilities/services across islands including RMCH Functioning centralized supply system RMNCAH sitan, plan, tools were developed with MOH & Joint UN (WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF) UN and Bilateral Funds support (DFAT,NZAID ) Available Local NGOs Emergency response team/surge from UN and other agencies arrived in the country Establish the health cluster meeting on daily basis Apaisai, National RH coordinator, MoH attended the health cluster meetings Communication with CMS and partners on the available stocks in country Setting up RH task force under Apaisai, National RH coordinator Regular meeting improves coordination amongst MoH and relevant stakeholders; helped in gap analysis and to avoid duplication of activities Effective mobilization of available resources Sector update on health bulletin

Before TC PamImmediately after (first 72hrs) Emergency phase (72hrs to 6 weeks) Outdated Emergency Preparedness Plan ( Multi hazard DRR); no simulation exercises Maternal child health program coverage not universal; quality of care issues, severe HR issues Weak provincial public health primary care program including RMNCAH Low and unpredictable funding for public health Needs of mothers and children not recognized as priority ( no RH WG initially) Lack of information of emergency needs & available kits and other commodities available in the country No clear information on level of damages and needs for RH-MCH from affected provinces Took a while to set up RH working group later named as RMNCAH task force Lack of parallel mechanism to distribute quickly RH kits and MCH commodities while single CMS supply chain was overwhelmed Lack of nurses, midwives in health facilities as well as issues on competency gaps

Before TC PamImmediately after (first 72hrs) Emergency phase (72hrs to 6 weeks) Develop emergency preparedness plan; review/develop cluster assessment tools ( Vanuatu context) Preposition essential health kits, commodities; update database regularly Strengthen Public Health System especially access to RMNCAH services; prioritize HR capacity, Financing, and HIS Establish linkage between Aid Post/village health workers and health facilities for equitable demand of services Inclusion of RMNCAH in the Health Cluster: -Incorporate RMNCAH Multi Cluster Assessment Tools -Working group Activate MISP, a tested tool to be used in crisis, conduct Orientation to health professionals as needed Activate assigned and trained doctors, nurses, midwife on emergency response for day plan Strengthen CMS supply chain system to distribute kits and other essential medical supplies/ expand CMS building to store prepositioned stocks Capacity building of health professionals on MISP and use of kits Regular monitoring on use of kits and utility of RMNCAH services at the health facilities Design policy and guidelines to address unmet RH, other MNCAH gaps Locally hired skilled health professionals to address acute gaps in the health facilities