On the 20th of August we joined the nation in celebrating 50 years of Vila Central Hospital — the heart of health care in Vanuatu.

For almost half that time, the Jewson family and later the MJF have been privileged to walk alongside VCH, supporting doctors, nurses, and patients with the tools and training they need.

From its beginnings as a small primary care facility to its role today as the country’s flagship hospital, VCH has been a place of healing, hope, and progress for thousands of Ni-Vanuatu families.

As part of the golden jubilee, the hospital celebrated with three days of actives including an official ceremony and open day, a parade, performances, a soccer tournament, tree-planting activities, health awareness sessions and career information booths.

The festivities also incorporated a change of identity, with the hospital altering its name from Vila Central Hospital to Vanuatu National Hospital (VNH), reflecting its status as the national referral hospital. The name change was part of a broader effort to centralise and improve the country’s healthcare system, which is primarily managed by government-run facilities and community health services.

We look forward to continuing our long association with Vanuatu National Hospital. Here’s to honouring the past, celebrating the present, and building a healthier future together.