Kam Pussum Hed Clinic

Kam Pussum Hed Clinic

Talking about sex in Vanuatu

In Vanuatu, as in many countries, sex and sexuality are not regularly discussed. They are considered to be ‘very private’ topics, so private, that people are often afraid to ask questions. Many people learn from ‘trial and error’ with dangerous consequences like sexually transmitted infections, unplanned and teen-age pregnancies and long-term personal injury.

In 1999 the Kam Pussem Hed (KPH) Clinic was established. KPH is a youth drop-in centre and Vanuatu’s only free reproductive health service. The KPH clinic has eight peer educators and two nurses. The nurses see an average of 28 patients a day. Information videos that are also available throughout the day.

Located in the outskirts of Port Vila, KPH needed to make their clinic more accessible, so, they introduced a bus service that brings people to the centre.
Small discussion groups are another important component of the KPH clinic. Apart from discussing issues about sex and sexuality, these small groups help develop communication skills so that people feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics at the centre.
Between the eight peer educators, KPH reaches an average of around 400 people a month.

Men can talk about sex too

In Vanuatu, the male head of the household is often in charge of decision making on family matters. Men decide how money is spent and give women the leftovers for food and their children’s needs. Reproductive health is the least of their priorities. This is why KPH introduced the ‘men as partners’ program which aims to help men to understand the role they play in their wife’s / partners reproductive health. It allows wives, not just husbands, to have a say in family planning.

Jayline Malverius is a peer educator at the KPH clinic; her task is to ensure that young people like her receive proper information about sexuality and sexual health. It is a difficult task and according to Jayline ‘at times it is impossible! Sexuality and sexual health are culturally sensitive issues and people are often afraid to seek advice. Instead we must travel around and talk to people in their own environment. Gradually, our message is getting through.’
In 2004, Jayline visited Australia to observe health clinics and peer education programs. Jayline has taken some of this information back to Vanuatu and is trialing some of these strategies.

The clinic runs an outreach program where peer educators visit four communities twice a week, bringing vital information about sexuality and reproductive health rights to young people. The idea is to form small groups where young people feel confident discussing reproductive health and asking questions that might be embarrassing to ask in public. The peer educators provide information to young people about sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and contraception.
Jayline and the other peer educators talk to a wide range of people. They answer questions from teenage girls as well as men in their forties.

Jayline’s message

‘Your donations really make a big impact. While the government of Vanuatu provides medicines, condoms and other supplies, we rely on IWDA to help change attitudes.’

Project Summary:

What we aim to achieve:
The Kam Pussem Hed (KPH) Clinic with support from IWDA aims to deliver information and support services to Port Villa and surrounding communities with an emphasis on:

1. Providing women and youth in urban settlement areas in Port Villa with information on sex, sexuality and reproductive health so that they can make informed choices.
2. Ensuring that KPH programs are of the highest quality and delivered in a way that best suits young people.
3. To further develop the skills and capacity of KPH staff so that they can expand their outreach to neighboring communities and across the sector.

KPH Project info Sheet

This project has finished.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 21st, 2004 under Vanuatu.