The Fiji Cancer Society’s programs manager, Shweta Kapoor, has expressed concerns regarding the limited data on cancer in Fiji, attributing the issue to inadequate information sharing among healthcare providers. Speaking at the Diverse Stakeholders Meeting on Youth Sexual Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice (SRHRJ) on Friday, Kapoor highlighted that private practitioners often do not report diagnosed cancer cases to the Ministry of Health. Additionally, she noted that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) conducting Pap smears or breast examinations also fail to share any cancer case data.
The meeting, organized by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), aimed to bring together key stakeholders from the region to address SRHRJ. Kapoor emphasized the necessity of having Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) nurses in rural areas of Fiji to enhance education and screening services for the public. She pointed out the significant gap in data sharing that needs to be addressed in order to improve cancer care and outcomes in the country.
Furthermore, the four-day meeting focused on building partnerships, sharing innovative practices, and enhancing youth SRHR initiatives across the Pacific.