A community medical theatre has been established on the island of Pentecost in Vanuatu.
The project is being led by Dr Richard Leona who says it is partly funded by the people, chiefs and churches of Pentecost, who have been fundraising for ten years.
An Australian NGO is providing the equipment for surgery in the theatre.
Dr Leona says there is a growing population and increasing levels of disease.
"But it is very difficult to get these people to Vila and Santo and its very costly for the government and also to families and sick people so the whole idea is to make it more accessible and also we can provide that surgery to the people in the islands and directly improve their standard of living and provide them with a good healthy life."
Dr Richard Leona.
