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
Amidst HIV surge, solidarity is key
Ten years ago, Christopher Lutukivuya was diagnosed as HIV-positive. “I actually didn't tell anyone about my status,” he recalls. “I went home, placed my medication on the shelves, and I asked my mother, ‘You
Sir Collin Tukuitonga resigns from NZ government roles, citing ‘no confidence’
One of New Zealand’s most prominent Pacific health leaders says he has “no confidence” in the Government after stepping down from almost every advisory role. Long-standing champion for health Sir Collin Tukuitonga
The climate crisis is a health crisis
COP28 will include the first dedicated ‘Health Day’. It’s due recognition that a health crisis is inextricably linked to the climate crisis. In 2023, Canada endured its “worst wildfire season in
Guam has highest rates of lung cancer per capita in the world
Guam has the highest incidence of lung cancer per capita in the world and among the U.S. Asian Pacific islands, or USAPI. Why, is a question health providers who are part of the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer
Reintroduce nutritious, healthy food culture: Fiji PM Rabuka
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka believes population growth, climate change and dietary choices are factors that drive food insecurity. And the Prime Minister has urged the Ministry of Agriculture and other
Samoa Minister says no to ‘marijuana export’
Samoan Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is opposed to any moves to promote the medicinal use of marijuana, saying it will not happen any time. The views of La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt were sought on
Tonga’s Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala nominated to lead WHO Western Pacific Region
Tonga’s Minister for Health, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala has been nominated as the next World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific. His candidacy was successful at the WHO Regional
Black mist across the desert
Yami Lester was ten years old when a British atomic weapon, codenamed Totem 1, was detonated at Emu Field on 15 October 1953. The isolated test site in the desert of South Australia was downwind from his home at
VegFest Pasifika comes to Samoa
VegFest Pasifika, a festival promoting local plant-based diets for health and environmental reasons, came to Samoa for the first time in June. The festival has been running in Fiji since 2018, with more than 55 events
WHO: Pacific islands facing a bumpy road toward the ‘Healthy Islands’ vision
Pacific island states and territories may have emerged from the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic, but they must also brace for other disease outbreaks and climate-related disasters in the future, according to the
WHO Western Pacific candidates vow to rebuild staff trust
Candidates vying for the regional director position at the World Health Organisation Western Pacific regional office fielded member states’ questions in a unique online public forum meant to gauge their priorities and
Battling the stigma of mental health across the Pacific
Mental health remains a stigma in the Pacific, but there might be some good news out of the Cook Islands. About 600 doctors, nurses and health professionals have made the trip across the region to attend the Pasifika
PNG Parliament Committee wants 40 doctors reinstated
A law passed by the Papua New Guinea Parliament to prevent public servants who contested general elections from re-entering the public service for five years is causing a severe shortage in a province’s health
Tonga and Solomon Islands make bid for WHO Regional Director post
Tonga and Solomon Islands have nominated medical experts for the position of World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific. Tonga has nominated Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, and Solomon Islands has
Opinion: A call for medical détente in the Pacific Islands
Pooling the expertise and resources of development partners is a win not only for regional healthcare but soft diplomacy, Eileen Natuzzi writes. As U.S. and China competition increases in the region, perhaps it is time
American Samoa House Health Committee hears of confusion with nurses recruited from Fiji
American Samoa House Health Committee has met and discussed the status of two out of the 21 nurses from Fiji who passed the NCLEX (National Council Licensing Examination) to be certified as registered nurses.
Fiji Budget 2023-2024: A wrap
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, today presented a deficit budget in Fiji’s parliament. With a projected revenue of $3.7 billion, and expenditure of $4.3 billion, the
Fiji Budget: ‘It’s a tough but fair budget’ says Finance Minister
Presenting government’s Fiji Budget 2023-2024 to parliament this morning, Finance Minister Biman Prasad said the fiscal deficit of $639 million dollars was “higher than I personally wanted.” Prasad said
Fiji budget: Education, health get budget boosts
The Fiji government budget 2023-2024 presented today has prioritised spending on education and health. Education The education sector has been allocated $768.9 million with $505.4 million to the Ministry of
