YOUR INDUSTRY
From right to left: Dr Solvan (intern), Dr Lawrence Bau (registrar training in endoscopy), Gaston Kalsakau and Julie Warput (registered nurses working in endoscope reprocessing and assisting with procedures), Stephanie Uttley (registered nurse and nurse trainer), Dr Sereana Natuman (head of medicine at Vila Central Hospital) and Dr Adrian Claydon of New Zealand
Fund aims to eradicate Hepatitis B in Vanuatu A campaign to raise funds to help eradicate a disease that can be a ‘silent killer,’ in Vanuatu is gaining momentum in New Zealand thanks to a raised awareness of the impacts of Hepatitis B on the nation’s population. By Elaine Fisher “Hepatitis B affects as many as 14% of the total population of Vanuatu – that's one of the highest rates in the world,” says Tauranga gastroenterologist Dr Adrian Claydon, who first became aware of how widespread the disease was around 18 months ago. “Hepatitis B is a chronic health issue in Vanuatu. It's a disease often contracted in childhood, that hides away from the immune system undetected for years. Over many years, the immune system tries to fight off the infection, leading to chronic liver disease that can ultimately cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. At this stage, it is often too late to treat.” Concerned that the island nation would struggle to identify and treat the 30,000 to 40,000 people who may have the disease, Adrian contacted Nell Dawson, who with her 46
The ORCHARDIST : MAY 2021
husband Allan is the former owner of Aongatete Coolstore kiwifruit post-harvest facility. Nell, who has a clinical background, was a senior manager at Tauranga Hospital when she employed Adrian on his arrival in New Zealand in 2001.
Hepatitis B affects as many as 14% of the total population of Vanuatu “I knew Nell and Allan had employed Ni-Van (Ni-Vanuatu) workers who came here to work in the kiwifruit industry, so I asked if she thought the industry would be interested in helping out, and the project snowballed from there.”
