The 2024 Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium was held at the Sofitel Resort and Spa in Nadi over the last two days brought together close to 300 participants. This once again demonstrated the region’s commitment to advancing health research and ensuring that health policies are evidence-based

The Symposium was hosted by the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and focused on various health topics, including reproductive, maternal, neonatal, adult and child health, with particular attention to rheumatic heart disease and HIV.

Dr. Donald Wilson from College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences stressed the importance of developing efficient systems for disseminating information and building local research capacity. 

“We were privileged to have representatives from over 10 countries, particularly from the region, including experts from Australia and New Zealand. The symposium’s scale and impact has been remarkable. Things are moving very fast, but it is crucial that we develop systems that are not only efficient but also ensure that information is disseminated correctly for the benefit of our people. Our young researchers are learning and applying correct and sound scientific methodologies. As we continue to build capacity, we hope to see more local experts providing the evidence needed to inform our policies effectively,” said Dr Wilson. 

The keynote address by Dr. Keziah Benett-Brook highlighted Indigenous health paradigms and the role of young researchers in advocating for change.

“While I was part of the symposium, I witnessed a lot of young researcher presenters presenting these incredible pieces of research, and I was really inspired to see that these young researchers are advocating for change through their work,” Dr Keziah Benett-Brook stated.

Awards for Best Oral and Poster Presentations were given, with Sharon Gaundan receiving the Best Oral Presentation for her work on One Health and antimicrobial resistance. 

The symposium was a collaborative effort involving numerous institutions and organisations from Australia and the Pacific region.