Vanuatu Ministry of Health
The Gudfala Tut Skul program, (supported by Tooth Buddies) received Ministry of Health Executive Committee endorsement in July 2019, with the following purpose:
“To promote and improve the oral health in children during the early formative years and ensuring that every child attending Kinder/Primary Schools will have access to a tooth brush and fluoride toothpaste with the opportunity to brush their teeth at least once a day under supervision as well as twice-yearly applications of Fluoride varnish.”
The program operates in accordance with National Standards, and in keeping with the Vanuatu National oral Health Policy 2019-2023 and the Vanuatu National Development Plan 2016-2030 (The People’s Plan)
PCV Health (Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, health program)
In a country with around 95% Christian adherence, it’s only natural that the church should take a prominent role in the delivery of many services, including health.
PCV health initially began around 2000 as an “Eye Care Project”, delivering much needed, and life-changing services in the main urban centres such as Port Vila, but also in the remote island communities.
Originally started by the Rotary Club of Sale Central, (VIC, Australia) the program now has expanded into medical and dental. Health Services provided by the church, through PCV Health, are open and available to all Vanuatu people, or Ni-Vanuatu, with services co-ordinated mostly from the head office in Port Vila where a well-equipped eye care and dental clinic has been established next to the Paton Memorial Church (PMC). PCV Health work closely with Medical Sailing Ministries Inc. to resource the Gudfala Tut Skul Program, which includes the manufacture of the Gudfala Tut Paste.
Vanuatu Prevention of Blindness Project Inc. ABN 74 419 189 348
This Eye Care Project is the forerunner of PCV Health and has been operating in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, particularly in the remote island communities, since 2000.
The project was started by the Rotary Club of Sale Central, and Rotary still has ownership and plays a major role in supporting the optical, medical and dental outreach work that is done in some of the most isolated locations in the Pacific.
The Vanuatu Prevention of Blindness Project Inc. is an Australian charity with DGR status. One of its key roles, in recent years, has been raising funds to support the salaries of the Vanuatu eyecare and dentalcare workers. They are also the key driver behind the Vanuatu potato growing enterprise, with a view to building national food security, employment and local business
North Ringwood Uniting Church (NRUC), VIC Australia
NRUC has been a valuable and enthusiastic supporter of Medical Sailing Ministries, from when the idea of using a yacht to transport eye, dental and medical teams around the remote islands of Vanuatu was first raised in 2008.
Support has come in so many ways, from fundraising events, donations, and willing volunteers, to office resources and their affiliation with the national overseas aid arm, Uniting World.
The establishment of Medical Sailing Ministries Inc., which has given rise to the Gudfala Tut Skul Program and Tooth Buddies, could not have occurred without the initial backing of NRUC; who remain a generous sponsor and supporter
DentaLife Australia P/L
DentaLife has been a long-time supporter of Medical Sailing Ministries, with their key contribution being the development of a suitable a toothpaste formulation for use in the Gudfala Tut Skul Program in Vanuatu.
Grassroots feedback dictated that the toothpaste needed to be attractive and yummy for younger taste buds. Plus, comprise locally sourced coconut oil as a primary ingredient with the ability to manufacture in Port Vila, to rigorous health standards.
DentaLife are a committed and valuable stakeholder and were recognised, along with Medical Sailing Ministries, in 2021 by the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) as the winner of the “Partnership Award”.
Medical Sailing Ministries Inc. (MSM Inc)
MSM Inc. began in 2009 using the 53-foot Yacht Chimere to provide remote-access-health and eyecare transport, and logistical support, amongst the remote islands and villages of Vanuatu.
MSM Inc. is an Australian health promoting charity with DGR status, run by volunteers according to compassionate and inclusive Christian-values. Our approach is collaborative and multi-pronged, based on establishing direct, grassroots partnerships with Vanuatu organisations and individuals; plus, others in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere as opportunities arise.
Since 2017, after coordinating a National Oral Health Survey on behalf of the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, MSM has focused primarily on oral health. Specifically, the development of the Gudfala Tut Skul brushing program.
After receiving several grants and generous donations to establish Gudfala Tut, MSM’s Tooth Buddies initiative is designed to generate funding sustainability, plus an opportunity for those with a shared passion for improving oral health to get involved.
