# Vanuatu Siblings Walk After Donated Clubfoot Treatment in Australia

> Anis and Melanie, siblings from Vanuatu born with club feet, can now walk after receiving free medical care in Canberra, Australia, facilitated by Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children in April 2026.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-17T21:35:21.965412Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/vanuatu-siblings-walk-after-donated-clubfoot-treatment-in-australia-3b43a0e8

Siblings Anis and Melanie from Vanuatu, both born with the same rare birth defect, are now able to walk after receiving donated medical treatment in Canberra, Australia [1]. The Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) facilitated their arrival and treatment in April 2026 [8]. Anis turned 13 during his treatment [8].

This medical intervention offers a profound impact for the children and their family, who had never left their village on a small volcanic island before this opportunity [1]. Vanuatu, an archipelago nation, faces significant healthcare challenges, including limited access to specialists and doctors, which makes such complex treatments unavailable domestically [3][4][11]. Remote communities in Vanuatu often have poor physical access to healthcare and limited infrastructure, necessitating long and costly journeys for basic medical needs [2][5][11].

## What the records show

Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) brought Anis and Melanie to Canberra for their clubfoot surgery [8]. The organization covers all related expenses, including flights, accommodation, visas, passports, hospital costs, clothing, and living expenses for the family [9][15]. Volunteers often provide hosting and daily support [9]. ROMAC, a program of the Rotary Districts of Australia and New Zealand, provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in Oceania who cannot be treated in their home nations [10][17]. Since its inception in March 1988, ROMAC has assisted over 570 children with life-changing or dignity-restoring surgeries [7][9][15][16][17][19][20][21]. Medical facilities in Vanuatu are limited, and specialized services for conditions like those requiring surgery are inconsistently available [3][4][11][12]. Medical evacuations from Vanuatu to countries like Australia or New Zealand can cost over ten thousand US dollars [11][12]. The nation also struggles with a severe shortage of qualified healthcare professionals and specialized medical supplies [4][11].

## The timeline

ROMAC began its operations in March 1988 [7][19][20][21]. Anis and Melanie arrived in Canberra for their treatment in April 2026 [8]. Anis celebrated his 13th birthday while receiving care [8]. Their family's journey marked their first time leaving their home village [1].

## What changed and for whom

Anis and Melanie, who were born with club feet, can now walk following their treatment [1]. The specialized medical care provided in Canberra addressed a condition that could not be treated in Vanuatu [10][17]. The family received comprehensive support from ROMAC, removing the financial burden of travel, accommodation, and medical procedures, which would otherwise be prohibitively expensive [9][11][12][15][17].

## What we could not confirm

Details about the specific medical facility in Canberra where Anis and Melanie received their treatment were not confirmed. The length of their stay in Australia following their surgery also remains unconfirmed. Specific recovery timelines or any ongoing physical therapy requirements for the siblings are not detailed in the available records.

## Evidence cited
1. Siblings from Vanuatu with same rare birth defect can walk after donated Canberra care (ABC News Australia) — https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-18/siblings-with-birth-defect-recieve-donated-care/107271116
2. svhm.org.au — https://svhm.org.au/
3. pacificislandtimes.com — https://pacificislandtimes.com/
4. idafoundation.org — https://idafoundation.org/
5. unicef.org — https://unicef.org/
6. who.int — https://who.int/
7. (November 19 2019) ... child's life Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children: commenced in March ... in the success of each case and assisted in various ways. ... in 1988. — https://facebook.com/
8. Brother and sister arrive in Canberra for treatment

 A brother and sister from Vanuatu have arrived in Canberra for treatment for their club feet, and have been treated to a ROMAC-style birthday party for the eldest, Anis, as he turned 13.
...
  
 
  * 2 siblings, 1 life-changing journey.   ROMAC is bringing siblings Anis and Melanie from Vanuatu to Canberra for life changing clubfoot surgery this April.   Vanuatu.   March 27, 2026.  
  * 2 siblings, 1 life-changing journey.   ROMAC is bringing — https://romac.life/
9. Everything is covered: the operation, the flights, the accommodation, the hospital care and the family's living costs while they are here. None of it is charged to the family. Volunteers, many of them Rotary members, do the airport runs, the hosting and the day-to-day support. ROMAC to date. 35+. Years bringing children to Australia and New Zealand for surgery. 570+. Children treated. 200+. Volunteers. 1,500+ ... The Rotary Club of Morisset lists ROMAC among the programs it supports. Most clubs  — https://rotary9660.org.au/
10. rotary9705.org.au — https://rotary9705.org.au/
11. The Healthcare System in Vanuatu — https://pacificprime.com/
12. (September 27 2018) MEDICAL FACILITIES: Hospital and medical facilities in Vanuatu are limited. Cost for treatment, including for pharmaceuticals, can be very expensive. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for their services. In the event of a serious illness or accident (including diving- related injuries), medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. A medical evacuation can cost more than ten thousand US dollars, and the nearest rel — https://usembassy.gov/
13. Emergency Medical Evacuation: For instance, in the event of severe medical conditions or accidents, travelers may be airlifted to another city or even to the USA for proper medical attention. Insurance helps in paying the costly evacuations and provide peace of mind during times of crisis. Trip Cancellation or Interruption: Travel may also get ruined by unexpected ... — https://americanvisitorinsurance.com/
14. At Medical Air Service, we understand that every mission is unique. Therefore, we tailor our services to meet each patient's specific needs. The cost of an air ambulance to or from Vanuatu depends on factors such as distance, medical requirements, and the type of transport. Understanding what's covered can help clarify the value behind the price. — https://medical-air-service.com/
15. ROMAC organises and pays for visas, passports, accommodation, hospital costs and clothing, while offering pastoral care in the form of emotional and practical support. Rotarians volunteer to accommodate the child (when it is not in hospital) and the accompanying family member. ROMAC also provides interpreters when needed. ROMAC has a memorandum of understanding with some major hospitals to provide free care for a number of children. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program of bringing children  — https://wikipedia.org/
16. (May 30 2026) Entirely driven by volunteers, ROMAC connects children in the South Pacific with life-saving medical care not available in their region, handling funding, transport and accommodation through the use of host families. As a result, 100 per cent of donations go directly towards treatment and transport costs. ROMAC'S 200 volunteers have helped some 570 children receive care, in many cases lifesaving; those interested in supporting the program can do so with a donation, by offering thei — https://rotarydownunder.org/
17. Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) is a volunteer-run humanitarian program of Rotary districts in Australia and New Zealand that provides life‑saving and dignity‑restoring surgery for children from countries in the Oceania region whose complex conditions cannot be treated locally. Since 1988, ROMAC has enabled hundreds of children to access specialist care in major pediatric and specialist hospitals, funded through donations and Rotary-led fundraising. With nearly 200 volunteers and — https://communityfoundation.org.au/
18. (October 24 2025) Children from Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and across Oceania with life-threatening illnesses will have greater access to specialist medical care, thanks to a new agreement between the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) and Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC). The five-year partnership, recently signed by both organisations, will enable eligible children under 16, whose conditions cannot be treated in their home countries, to receive world-class care at Pe — https://health.wa.gov.au/
19. ROMAC commenced in March 1988 out of the actions of an Australian Rotarian who, with a group of surgeons, visited Lambasa in Fiji. They found the child ... — https://clubrunner.ca/
20. (July 25 2024) ROMAC commenced in March 1988 out of the actions of an Australian Rotarian who, with a group of surgeons, visited Lambasa in Fiji. They found the child ... — https://broadwatersouthportrotary.org/
21. ROMAC commenced in March 1988 out of the actions ... in the success of each case and assisted in various ways. ... ROMAC was making a difference; ROMAC was Giving ... — https://drouinrotary.com/