WHO says Western Pacific to miss UN goal to cut early deaths from lifestyle diseases
Western Pacific nations are unlikely to meet the United Nations target of reducing premature deaths from lifestyle-related diseases, says the World Health
Health
Medicinal cannabis now permitted in Cook Islands with prescription
Islanders and visitors can now bring in medicinal cannabis into the Cook Islands from New Zealand and Australia provided they meet certain requirements, says Te Marae Ora (TMO), Ministry for Health. Minister for Health
Opinion: Silent epidemic: The devastating impact of drugs on Fiji’s health and wellbeing
Fiji faces a critical mental health crisis, with rising drug abuse cases being one of several contributing factors. Social and economic challenges, along with limited access to mental health services, are also believed
65 more dengue cases in Samoa
Samoa’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has raised alarm bells with the announcement of 65 cases of dengue-like illness in its recent surveillance report for the period spanning from 29 April to 5 May. Despite the
Travellers urged to prevent dengue fever in Samoa
Samoa’s Ministry of Health has urged travellers entering Samoa to take precautionary measures during the duration of their stay due to reports of a dengue fever outbreak. The Ministry had declared a dengue fever
Cook Islanders invited to discuss Health Bill, medicinal cannabis access
Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams says it is important for the public to know and understand the Public Health Bill, set for public discussions starting today. A series of public consultations on the
Dealing with dengue: Pacific looks to new tools
Climate change and increased urbanisation are driving an increase in dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases and the Pacific is responding with a suite of new interventions and tactics. The World Health Organization
Pacific obesity rates continue to concern
Pacific Island nations have the highest rates of obesity in the world, a new study has revealed. The study from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), a worldwide network of over 1500 researchers and
Samoa declares a dengue fever outbreak
After a total of 216 confirmed cases of dengue fever since November last year, the Ministry of Health, Thursday, declared a dengue fever outbreak in Samoa. Director General of Health Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma said the
Samoa on the brink of declaring a dengue outbreak
Samoa is on the brink of declaring a dengue fever outbreak should the latest situational report from health expected by the end of the week show a continuous increase in the disease. The Director General of Health,
Strengthen health systems, says WHO Regional Director Dr Piukala
Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, has told the Pacific Heads of Health Meeting currently underway in Samoa that climate change and health security are
Samoan broadcaster and social advocate Tofilau Yolande Ah Chong dies
Samoan broadcaster, TV personality and MC Tofilau Yolande Ah Chong is being remembered as a vibrant voice in the Pacific community. Tofilau died last week after a long battle with cancer. She was laid to rest yesterday
Pacific Islands eye medicinal cannabis cultivation
But social concerns remain Pacific governments are grappling with balancing the potential economic benefits of legalising medicinal cannabis cultivation with social concerns, as they eye the potentially lucrative new
ANT Bicycles Tonga: The first bicycle rental shop in the Kingdom
Visitors to Tonga have a new way of exploring Tongatapu thanks to Alamoni and Taniela Takeifanga. They are the proud owners of ANT Bicycles Tonga, the first family-owned bicycle rental business in the heart of
WHO watches for new covid variants
Three years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been more than 774 million confirmed cases and more than seven million reported deaths globally, according to recent statistics by the World Health
Complaints mount at PNG ‘care centers’ for volcano displaced
Several thousand people remain in limbo three months after the eruption of Papua New Guinea’s Mt Ulawun, living at muddy camps euphemistically named “care centres” by authorities, and increasingly unhappy about
Dr Piukala appointed WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific
The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board today confirmed the appointment of Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala of Tonga as WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. Following his
Opinion: Health service coverage: Asia and the Pacific swap places
According to the World Health Organization, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires that all people receive the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services they need and can afford.
The 2024 Pacific Forecast: A Turn for the Worse?
It’s 2024. Heading towards the halfway mark of this decade, the Pacific’s landscape is vastly different from four years ago, gripped in a steadily escalating set of challenges that may well define what the next
The silent menace of plastics
From the moment we awaken to the chime of our plastic alarm clock, our day is entangled in a web of plastic – from the toothbrush we use, to the shampoo bottles we squeeze, to the plastic lids on our milk cartons.
Cook Islands Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill
Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner. This comes
Spirituality in action
The glitter of the family name, the association with one of Fiji’s biggest business houses, the label of international performing artist and the presence on some of the world’s largest entertainment stages. It all