WHO regional director fired for alleged racist misconduct
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has fired its top official in the Western Pacific after the Associated Press reported last year that dozens of staff members accused him of racist, abusive and unethical behaviour
The Fred Hollows Foundation welcomes $620m regional package for health in Pacific and Southeast Asia
The Fred Hollows Foundation in both Australia and New Zealand have warmly welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of $620 million funding for health systems in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Announced on
Drought crisis to continue in Kiribati
Kiribati’s Minister for Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) has said the current drought crisis affecting Kiribati is projected to continue in the coming months posing risks to health, sanitation and
Prioritise recruitment of skilled Melanesians: Vanuatu PM
Vanuatu Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, who is also chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat has stressed any future employment within the MSG Secretariat must be sourced from MSG member countries.
New Guam bill seeks to rein in the governor’s emergency powers
In yet another attempt to clip the governor of Guam’s emergency powers, Senator Chris Duenas Tuesday introduced a bill that would authorise the legislature to terminate a public health emergency declaration. Bill 7-37
American Hospital CEO defends recruiting nurses from Fiji
Hiring nurses from Fiji and the Philippines, instead of neighboring Samoa has raised a lot of eyebrows. During a press conference at the ceremony to welcome nurses from Fiji, LBJ Hospital CEO, Moefaauo Bll Emmsley
Low measles immunisation in Pacific, WHO warns
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it’s working with local and international consultants to promote Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines in the Pacific. Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage
Saved from the Unknown
One in four women with cervical cancer live in what the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines as the ‘Western Pacific Region’, a collection of Asia and Pacific Island states and territories. An estimated 145,700
NZ-designed sustainable technology supporting eye health in Papua New Guinea
A New Zealand-designed and built solar energy solution will now ensure critical eye surgery in Papua New Guinea can continue safely. The innovative solar system in a box, commissioned by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ,
Tonga lifts most COVID health restrictions
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from September 27. The border has now fully
Climate finance, economic recovery features on day one of US-Pacific leaders summit
Pacific Islands leaders have completed their first day of meetings with the U.S. administration of President Joe Biden, with economic issues, health and COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and climate change on the agenda.
Chuuk in FSM loses COVID-free status
Chuuk, in the Federated States of Micronesia, is no longer a COVID-free state, with 480 infections reported as of September 26, the office of the Governor of Chuuk announced. Out of the total infections confirmed, there
PNG Health sector faces ‘serious shortfall in manpower’: Kapavore
Papua New Guinea Shadow Minister for Health and Public Service, Elias Kapavore has supported comments made by the Health Minister Dr Lino Tom and Health Secretary Dr Liko, to review and repeal the recent amendment to
Kiribati could establish aged care hub to meet Australian demand
The Kiribati Government is planning to establish a hub for aged care students at the School of Nursing and Health in Bikenibeu. This was confirmed by the Minister for Employment and Human Resource, Taabeta Amuera Teakai
Opinion: Shifting the dial on child malnutrition in the Pacific and Timor-Leste
As donors seeking to support development impact in the Pacific, the Australian government cannot afford to ignore the challenge of child undernutrition and its deep and long-lasting impacts on the Pacific region’s
Kiribati drought at critical stage says UNICEF
Fears of malnutrition and other illnesses are mounting in Kiribati as the country grapples with an ongoing drought. The Kiribati government in June declared a state of disaster after the discovery of high salinity
Niue premier warns against falsifying travel documents
The Niue government is concerned as allegations emerge of passengers falsifying travel application requirements while the Health Department continues investigations into the origin of the index case of the current
Marshall Islands praised for ‘unprecedented’ COVID response
United States-based medical doctors praised the Marshall Islands for an “unprecedented” response to its first COVID outbreak, as the positive case numbers declined dramatically this week after a record-setting first
RMI face public health emergency: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the COVID outbreak in the Marshall Islands a Public Health Emergency. A total of 1,391 new cases of the virus were recorded in the latest 24-hour reporting period. Six
Niue records first COVID community cases
COVID-19 has arrived in the community in Niue. The government says four people, all from the same household, are being recorded as the first community cases. In the past 24 hours, Niue health authorities report
Nauru first COVID death; 10 active cases in Niue
Nauru has recorded its first death of COVID-19 as the country experiences its first community outbreak, while there are now 10 community cases in Niue. Nauru President Lionel Aingimea has expressed his condolences and
Opinion: Australia’s international health funding: commitments and challenges
by Cameron Hill and Huiyuan Liu While commentators have remarked on how little attention Australia’s domestic COVID-19 situation received in the 2022 federal election campaign, discussion of the global pandemic was
NCDs cannot be ignored says Tonga PM
Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni has called for a collective effort to tackle the leading cause of death and disability in Tonga – heart disease, diabetes and some cancers – in a
