Students at the University of Fiji’s Umanand Prasad School of Medicine and Health Sciences will soon benefit from enhanced clinical training and opportunities, thanks to a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH). This exciting partnership will not only provide hands-on training supervised by experienced specialists but also foster collaborative academic research and a proposed initiative for pharmaceutical research.
The MOU, effective for three years, will be implemented primarily at the PSH Hospitals facility located in Nadi. Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem noted that this collaboration aims to integrate telemedicine into both training and patient care. Structured telemedicine modules will be developed to enable students and staff to observe and participate in virtual patient consultations under proper supervision while adhering to ethical and legal standards.
In addition to enhancing medical education, PSH will support nursing students from the University by providing practical, patient-centered training, strengthening Fiji’s nursing workforce overall. Parvish Kumar, the founder and CEO of PSH Hospitals, highlighted the unique opportunity this partnership presents, pointing out how it differs from the traditional ties that medical colleges in Fiji have had with public hospitals in Suva or Lautoka. Kumar stressed that PSH Hospitals is ahead of the curve in medical and healthcare technologies, offering students exposure to advanced systems and surgical procedures that are currently not available in public sectors.
This partnership not only enhances the educational landscape for medical and nursing students in Fiji but also positions them competitively in the healthcare field. By emphasizing innovation and a patient-focused approach, PUH and UniFiji are paving the way for a future where quality healthcare is more attainable for all Fijians, particularly through advancements in telemedicine and training programs.
Overall, this collaboration marks a progressive step for healthcare education in Fiji, reinforcing a commitment to improving local medical practices while ensuring that future healthcare professionals are well-equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving medical landscape.
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