The 2024 Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium took place at the Sofitel Resort and Spa in Nadi over the past two days, attracting nearly 300 attendees. This event underscored the region’s dedication to enhancing health research and ensuring that health policies are grounded in solid evidence.
Hosted by the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, the symposium covered a range of health issues, such as reproductive, maternal, neonatal, adult, and child health, with a special emphasis on rheumatic heart disease and HIV.
Dr. Donald Wilson from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences highlighted the critical need for effective systems to share information and strengthen local research capabilities.
“We were fortunate to have participants from over 10 countries, particularly within the region, including experts from Australia and New Zealand. The scale and impact of the symposium have been outstanding. Things are progressing rapidly, but it’s vital to establish systems that are not only efficient but also ensure accurate dissemination of information for the benefit of our communities. Our young researchers are learning to utilize appropriate scientific methodologies. As we continue to enhance our capacity, we anticipate more local experts generating the evidence required to effectively inform our policies,” stated Dr. Wilson.
The keynote address by Dr. Keziah Benett-Brook emphasized Indigenous health paradigms and the significant role young researchers play in driving advocacy for change.
“During the symposium, I was impressed by the numerous young researchers showcasing exceptional work. It was inspiring to see these individuals advocating for change through their research,” said Dr. Benett-Brook.
Awards for the Best Oral and Poster Presentations were announced, with Sharon Gaundan receiving the Best Oral Presentation honor for her research on One Health and antimicrobial resistance.
The symposium was a collaborative initiative involving various institutions and organizations from Australia and the Pacific region.