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 participants. This event highlighted the region’s dedication to improving health research and ensuring health policies are based on solid evidence.
Hosted by the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, the symposium covered a range of health topics such as reproductive, maternal, neonatal, adult, and child health, with a special focus on rheumatic heart disease and HIV.
Dr. Donald Wilson from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences emphasized the need for effective systems to share information and enhance local research capabilities.
He remarked, “We were fortunate to have representatives from over 10 countries, especially from the region, including experts from Australia and New Zealand. The scale and impact of the symposium are remarkable. With advancements occurring rapidly, it is essential to establish efficient systems to ensure information is correctly disseminated for the benefit of our people. Our young researchers are learning and implementing sound scientific methods. As we work to enhance capacity, we anticipate seeing more local experts providing the evidence necessary to inform our policies effectively.”
The keynote address delivered by Dr. Keziah Benett-Brook underscored Indigenous health perspectives and the importance of young researchers in driving change.
Dr. Benett-Brook expressed, “During the symposium, I witnessed many young researchers presenting remarkable studies, and it was truly inspiring to see their commitment to advocating for change through their research.”
Awards were given for Best Oral and Poster Presentations, with Sharon Gaundan honored for her outstanding work on One Health and antimicrobial resistance.
The symposium was a collaborative initiative involving various institutions and organizations from Australia and the Pacific region.