Limited data on cancer in Fiji is attributed to insufficient information sharing among healthcare providers, according to Shweta Kapoor, programs manager of the Fiji Cancer Society (FCS). Kapoor made these remarks during the Diverse Stakeholders Meeting on Youth Sexual Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice (SRHRJ) held on Friday.
She emphasized that private practitioners do not report cancer diagnoses to the Ministry of Health. Furthermore, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that conduct Pap smears or breast examinations also fail to relay their findings, resulting in a significant lack of data.
The workshop, organized by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), gathered key regional stakeholders to address SRHRJ issues. Kapoor stressed the necessity of having Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) nurses in rural areas to enhance education and screenings for the broader community.
She pointed out that this lack of data sharing is a critical gap that needs to be addressed in order to improve cancer care and outcomes in Fiji. The four-day meeting also focused on enhancing partnerships, sharing innovative practices, and fortifying youth SRHR initiatives across the Pacific region.