Since 2006, substantial advancements have been achieved in pediatric cancer care in Fiji, primarily thanks to the Twinning Program, a partnership between the Christchurch Children’s Haematology Oncology Centre (CHOC) and Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
This week, Dr. Siobhan Cross, a children’s cancer specialist, and nurse practitioner Rachel Wilson are in Fiji as part of their annual visit to the Pediatric Oncology Units at CWMH and Aspen Hospital Lautoka.
With over a decade of experience in pediatric cancer care, Dr. Cross noted that prior to the Twinning Program’s inception, there was no infrastructure in place for treating childhood cancer in the country. The establishment of the program marked a significant turning point.
By 2013, the initiative included weekly video conferences alongside communications through WhatsApp and email as needed, greatly enhancing remote support and knowledge exchange between healthcare professionals in Christchurch and Fiji.
Dr. Cross, who became involved in the initiative in 2021 after participating in video conferences since 2014, and Ms. Wilson, who has been part of the program since 2006, have observed remarkable improvements in care.
“When the team first came, there was no treatment for children with cancer on the islands,” Dr. Cross explained. “A few children were sent to New Zealand or Australia for treatment due to insurance, citizenship, or fundraising, but no treatment was available in Fiji itself.”
Today, Dr. Cross indicated that about 70 to 80 percent of children under 15 who need cancer treatment in Fiji can now receive it locally.
“While not all of these children are cured, we are currently assessing the outcomes of our childhood cancer treatments over the last seven years to evaluate our progress. Our aim is to benchmark these results against global healthcare standards, as there is now a growing international community focused on improving childhood cancer outcomes in low to middle-income countries with limited resources for treatment,” she stated.
Dr. Cross emphasized that enhancing pediatric cancer care involves not just the availability of medications, but also comprehensive support for affected families, which includes financial assistance, logistical help, and emotional support.
WOWS Kids Fiji plays a vital role in addressing these needs, assisting families of childhood cancer patients to navigate the challenges associated with treatment.
Over the past 15 years, childhood cancer care in Fiji has transformed into a successful model of international collaboration and local development, showing significant progress in the field.