The 2024 Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium took place at the Sofitel Resort and Spa in Nadi, gathering nearly 300 participants. This event highlighted the region’s dedication to promoting 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 addressed a variety of health issues, including 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 necessity of creating effective systems for sharing information and enhancing local research capacity.
“We had the privilege of welcoming representatives from over 10 countries, especially from our region, alongside experts from Australia and New Zealand. The scale and impact of the symposium have been extraordinary. While progress is swift, it is vital to establish systems that are not only effective but also ensure proper information dissemination for the benefit of our people. Our emerging researchers are learning and implementing proper scientific methodologies. As we continue to strengthen our capacity, we anticipate seeing more local experts supplying the evidence needed to shape our policies effectively,” stated Dr. Wilson.
The keynote address by Dr. Keziah Benett-Brook underscored Indigenous health paradigms and the involvement of young researchers in driving change.
“During the symposium, I observed numerous young researchers presenting remarkable studies, and I was truly inspired to witness their advocacy for change through their research,” Dr. Benett-Brook remarked.
Awards were presented for the Best Oral and Poster Presentations, with Sharon Gaundan receiving the award for Best Oral Presentation 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.