“People want to travel, they want to live again”
As coronavirus began spreading around the world in early 2020, even the far-flung islands of French Polynesia were affected. The first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Tahiti on 10 March 2020, after politician Maina
CHANGING WEATHER HEIGHTENS STROKE RISK
New data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study shows that low ambient temperature is an increasing stroke risk factor around the world. Global warming not only produces hotter summers and extreme weather events
BUSTING the MYTHS around STROKE
A Pacific language video series by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is highlighting key facts around stroke, in an attempt to bust the myths around this neurological disease. Stroke is a disease of the brain
The new diplomacy: Vaccines and soft power
Despite efforts to coordinate coronavirus vaccine delivery on a regional and global basis, Pacific Island governments are increasingly meeting their vaccine needs through bilateral arrangements, a situation which is
Obese? Fat? No!
In early 2014, a group of ‘fairly decent’ runners living and working out of Fiji’s capital, Suva decided to pursue the idea of creating a platform to promote marathon running for Pacific islanders, and to use it
SPC: Health and wellness resources available for Pacific People
According to the World Health Organization global health survey in 2016, 71% of deaths globally were due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In the Pacific, NCDs are the leading cause of deaths accounting for 75% of
Pacific People 2020: Palau’s health frontliners
It is almost the end of 2020 and Palau has remained one of the handful of countries globally which have not registered a single case since the coronavirus outbreak was designated a pandemic in March. For
Food Revolutionaries
The founder of the Pacific Island Food Revolution says the campaign’s work on changing food choices in the Pacific region is “super relevant” in the current global coronavirus pandemic. “Our project is about
PNG: COVID cases up, POM locks down
PNG’s Acting Health Secretary has announced another suspected death from COVID-19 in the Nation’s Capital. Dr Paison Dakulala said a 35-year-old health worker died due to respiratory illness as a result of
After COVID- what next for Pacific heath systems?
The Pacific’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to lead to increased scrutiny of health budgets and investments in our region. However first there are the very pressing questions of how to scale up response
Going viral – Measles outbreak takes a heavy toll
The deadly measles outbreak currently spreading through the Pacific is exacting a great human, and likely significant economic cost. At least 60 children and one adult in Samoa have died from measles or its
Understanding history to plan the future
A Solomons doctor in Cuba THE journey of Pacific Islands medical students who study in Cuba can be difficult. One such graduate, Solomon Islander Priscilla Druscilla Kana, is currently completing a two-year internship
Talking about a revolution
The secrets of combatting noncommunicable diseases in our countries can be found in our Pacific Islands food cultures says Kiwi chef Robert Oliver on the eve of his new show, the Pacific Island Food
Talking about a revolution
The secrets of combatting noncommunicable diseases in our countries can be found in our Pacific Islands food cultures says Kiwi chef Robert Oliver on the eve of his new show, the Pacific Island Food
The curable cancer killing Pacific women
LATE detection and late presentation contribute to the high number of women who die from cervical cancer in the Pacific each year. The HPV Information Centre reports that an estimated 1,268 Pacific Island
Plans to address HIV-AIDS stigma
AT least 747 new cases of people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been diagnosed in Fiji since February last year. Jokapeci Tuberi, Regional Coordinator for HIV Stigma Index of the Fiji Network of
Pacific’s health crisis
Non communicable diseases is prevalent in the Pacific that it has become a crisis- a matter which authorities need to address urgently. However talking about it to an audience doesn’t necessarily make one ‘all
I cheated death twice
ASENA Senimoli survived two death experiences- her heart beat stopped, she felt the pain, slowly slipped away and was ready to go. But God saved her life those two times for a higher purpose. Three years later, breast
India deal for Fiji hospital
THEFIJIANS could expect an upgrade to their medical health services, in light of the new private hospital partnership between the MIOT International arm, one of India’s top hospitals and the BSP Life. Under this
Our people at risk
OUR Pacific finds itself in an emergency and how we choose to deal with it right now will determine our future. Non-communicable diseases – primarily heart disease, cancers, chronic lung diseases and diabetes
Diabetes hits home hard
FELITI Hoeft, 54, comes from the village Tofoa in Tongatapu. Before getting diagnosed with diabetes, he was a hard working man, gainfully employed operating heavy earth moving machines. Today, both his feet are gone
A fight for life
Sinking isles face new rising threat KIRIBATI has been a world leader in the field of climate change, punching way above its weight and keeping the spotlight on global warming and sea level rise. Climate change is,
