COVID-19 response in Vanuatu © WHO / Valerie Fernandez
Vanuatu, a South Pacific archipelago of 83 islands, is known for its natural beauty and vibrant Melanesian culture. However, the country faces persistent public health challenges, including outbreaks of several communicable diseases, exacerbated by limited infrastructure, climate change and frequent natural disasters. As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, Vanuatu requires resilient, adaptable health systems to respond to public health emergencies quickly and effectively.
To strengthen its outbreak response, the Ministry of Health adopted Go.Data, a tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with GOARN partners, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially deployed in January 2022 to support COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing, Go.Data has since been expanded to cover measles, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and yaws due to its usability and flexibility. This expansion reflects a strategic shift from reactive, one-off emergency use to an integrated digital surveillance platform embedded within Vanuatu’s broader public health infrastructure.
Before Go.Data, disease surveillance relied heavily on manual reporting, ad hoc spreadsheets and fragmented communication. Health workers, especially in remote provinces, found it difficult to coordinate and respond effectively. Limited radio and mobile phone coverage further delayed case investigations and contact follow-ups. These constraints placed already vulnerable populations at greater risk during disease outbreaks.
Recognizing the need for a flexible, offline-capable digital solution, the Ministry of Health implemented Go.Data with support from WHO. Go.Data was introduced to meet this need, offering a way to digitize and streamline field investigation, contact management and data-driven decision-making during outbreaks. Its integration into the Ministry’s core public health system, DHIS2, now ensures that outbreak intelligence is part of the national health surveillance and public health reporting system.
Implementation included training provincial health surveillance teams, Health Information System (HIS) officers, and public health staff. The rollout prioritized capacity building, with follow-up mentoring and field-based support from the HIS team to ensure sustainability. One of the most transformative features has been Go.Data’s offline functionality, enabling field teams to continue working even in areas with no internet connectivity.
Community outreach campaign in Tanna Island, Vanuatu © WHO / Aya Yajima
Go.Data has significantly improved the country’s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks swiftly. It has supported faster containment, more precise mapping of transmission chains, and better public health messaging. Rachel Takoar, the HIS Manager at the Ministry of Health reflected, “Before Go.Data, we relied on phone calls and paper notes. Now, we can see the spread clearly, act quickly, and help protect our communities.”
Today, Go.Data continues to be a cornerstone of Vanuatu’s digital health system. Aligned with the Digital Health Strategy 2025–2030, the Ministry of Health is advancing efforts to expand the use of Go.Data through continuous training to health and non-health actors; the refinement of standard operating procedures for multi-disease outbreak response; integration with the National Laboratory Information System; and the exploration of its role in climate-sensitive disease surveillance and integrated One Health initiatives. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to building a more resilient, data-driven public health system capable of responding to both current and emerging health threats.
Key lessons from implementation underscore the importance of contextual adaptation, sustained capacity-building and continuous learning. Vanuatu’s experience illustrates how digital tools, when effectively implemented, can strengthen public health systems, enhance epidemic preparedness and safeguard communities during times of crisis.