Plenary speakers
Session 1| Tackling the big issues: climate change and in the impact on reproductive health
PSRH President's welcome
Dr Karaponi Okesene-Gafa
Dr Karaponi Okesene-Gafa
President, PSRH
Senior Lecturer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Kara, who is of Niuean, Samoan and Cook Island descent, is Chair of PSRH and has been involved in the work of the society for over 6 years.
Kara is a senior lecturer in O&G at University of Auckland, she is also an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland. Kara's research interests are obesity, excess weight gain and diabetes in pregnancy and interventions.
Kara is a member of Te Whatu Ora: Pacific Advisory; Pacific Health Senate and National Clinical Governance Group. Co-opted committee member - RANZCOG, Te Kāhui, Oranga ō Nuku.
Kara, who is of Niuean, Samoan and Cook Island descent, is Chair of PSRH and has been involved in the work of the society for over 6 years.
Kara is a senior lecturer in O&G at University of Auckland, she is also an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Middlemore Hospital, Auckland. Kara's research interests are obesity, excess weight gain and diabetes in pregnancy and interventions.
Kara is a member of Te Whatu Ora: Pacific Advisory; Pacific Health Senate and National Clinical Governance Group. Co-opted committee member - RANZCOG, Te Kāhui, Oranga ō Nuku.
Keynote address: Realising the rights of Pacific women in our challenging and changing world
Dame Teuila Percival
We face increasing challenges of climate change, extreme weather events and continuing gender-based inequalities in system responsiveness and resilience. Health systems and governments must recognise the critical role of women as the foundation of societies. Ensuring women’s rights to health, education and sexual and reproductive health is critical to the resilience and future of our communities and country.
Dame Teuila Percival
Consultant Paediatrician and Associate Professor, Paediatrics,
University of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Dame Teuila Percival is a New Zealand born Samoan. Her family are from Ofu in Manu’a and Pu’apu’a in Savaii. She is a Consultant Paediatrician and Associate Professor in Department Paediatrics, University of Auckland, working clinically at KidzFirst Children’s Hospital in South Auckland.Her particular interests are in Pacific people’s health, Maternal and Child Health, Child Protection, Community Paediatrics and Disaster medicine.
Teuila has been working clinically in Paediatrics for over twenty years in the acute hospital setting and in outpatients. She is involved in research and community work both in New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.
Teuila has been involved in Community work in South Auckland for over two decades, including being past Chair of South Seas Healthcare Trust (Pacific Primary Care and Social Services organization, Otara) and past President of Pasifika Medical Association.
Teuila is Director of Moana Connect, a Pacific Maternal and Child Health Community based Research Company.
Teuila was made a Dame (DNZM) in the Kings Birthday Honours in 2023 and awarded the Queens Service Order (QSO) in 2010 for service to the Pacific Community and children.
Teuila has three children and one grandchild. She is married to John McEnteer, Ngati Maru, Ngati Tamatera of Hauraki.
RANZCOG President's address and introduction of Brian Spurrett Orator
Dr Gillian Gibson
Dr Gillian Gibson
President, RANZCOG
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist,
Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Gill has been a RANZCOG Fellow since 1997. She is an Auckland based Generalist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with 25 years of experience, working in both public and private practice, including a service clinical director role.
Dr Gibson was an Aotearoa New Zealand representative on the 9th and 10th RANZCOG Councils (2014-2018) and has been a RANZCOG Board Director for the past five years.
Gill has been a RANZCOG Fellow since 1997. She is an Auckland based Generalist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with 25 years of experience, working in both public and private practice, including a service clinical director role.
Dr Gibson was an Aotearoa New Zealand representative on the 9th and 10th RANZCOG Councils (2014-2018) and has been a RANZCOG Board Director for the past five years.
Brian Spurrett Oration
Dr Peter Stone
Dr Peter Stone
Emeritus Professor
Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
University of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Dr Peter Stone is an emeritus professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in The University of Auckland, earning his qualifications from the University of Auckland and the University of Bristol with Maternal Fetal Medicine subspeciality recognition from RANZCOG. He served as the Professor and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National Women's Hospital, Auckland, and his career spans prestigious roles globally.
Recognized with the PSRH President's Medal for over a decade of volunteer work in the Pacific, he also holds the Distinguished Service Medal from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and an Honorary Professorship from the National Hospital for Women and Children in Mongolia.
Prof Stone, an expert in maternal-fetal medicine and ultrasound, has contributed significantly to prenatal care, earning accolades like the Volunteer of the Year award from the Australasian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine. As a sought-after peer reviewer for prominent journals, he continues to advance the field through his expertise and ongoing research into fetal welfare.
Dr Peter Stone is an emeritus professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in The University of Auckland, earning his qualifications from the University of Auckland and the University of Bristol with Maternal Fetal Medicine subspeciality recognition from RANZCOG. He served as the Professor and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National Women's Hospital, Auckland, and his career spans prestigious roles globally.
Recognized with the PSRH President's Medal for over a decade of volunteer work in the Pacific, he also holds the Distinguished Service Medal from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and an Honorary Professorship from the National Hospital for Women and Children in Mongolia.
Prof Stone, an expert in maternal-fetal medicine and ultrasound, has contributed significantly to prenatal care, earning accolades like the Volunteer of the Year award from the Australasian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine. As a sought-after peer reviewer for prominent journals, he continues to advance the field through his expertise and ongoing research into fetal welfare.
Addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights in Pacific emergencies
Dr Mateen Shaheen
Approximately 168 million people live in humanitarian contexts, a quarter of them are women and girls of reproductive age. SRH conditions are among the principal causes of death and ill-health among women of reproductive age worldwide, with 61% of maternal deaths occurring in countries in crisis and experiencing fragility. The Pacific is a hotspot for emergencies and is not untouched by pandemics. The compounding impact of these disasters and climate change risks magnifies the urgent and ever-growing need for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) support during emergencies in the Pacific. Disrupted healthcare services, limited access to contraceptives, and inadequate maternal health care can lead to adverse outcomes, including unplanned pregnancies, maternal mortality, and limited choices in reproductive health decisions. Documented evidence has shown that when SRH services are disrupted in times of emergencies, the use of essential maternal/SRHR does not return to pre-emergency levels following the crisis. Hence the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRHiE must be prioritized at the onset of every emergency. It consists of a set of priority SRH interventions (services and supplies) that are to be undertaken within the 1st 48hrs of the onset of an emergency, without the need for a site-specific needs assessment before implementation.
In 2022-23, UNFPA supported comprehensive MISP Readiness Assessment in 5 Pacific Countries (Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, FSM and RMI) to evaluate and enhance the capacity of health systems in the Pacific region to deliver Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH services during emergencies. Findings offer an overview of MISP readiness in five Pacific countries, highlighting strengths and weaknesses in delivering essential SRH services during emergencies. The study's outcomes will guide targeted interventions including policy recommendations, putting in place critical resources and systems and prioritizing investment to enhance MISP readiness in the Pacific and contribute to improved SRH outcomes during crises. Addressing identified gaps will prevent health system disruptions during crises that would have devastating and lasting effects on the women and families of the Pacific community.
Dr Mateen Shaheen
UNFPA Deputy Director and Representative of UNFPA Pacific SRO
Dr Mateen Shaheen is currently serving as Deputy Director & Representative of UNFPA Pacific SRO. Prior to joining UNFPA Pacific SRO, he was UNFPA Deputy Representative in Sudan and brings more than 20 years of experience in working in the public health sector. Dr. Mateen Shaheen has managed humanitarian response operations in his home country Pakistan, as well as in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, in addition to Sudan, promoting the 'triple nexus' approach to strengthening collaboration, coherence and complementarity between humanitarian, development, and peace actors and enhancing national and community resilience.
Dr Mateen Shaheen has extensive experience in planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), women's empowerment and gender-based violence prevention and response, youth empowerment, HIV/AIDS and drug harm reduction.
He joined UNFPA in 2013 as Deputy Representative in Syria, and previously worked with WHO as Health Cluster/Emergency Response Coordinator, and also with NGO CARITAS Lahore, Pakistan. Dr Mateen Shaheen is a Medical graduate from Pakistan with a Master in Community Health and Health Management in Developing Countries from Heidelberg University, Germany.
Dr Mateen Shaheen is currently serving as Deputy Director & Representative of UNFPA Pacific SRO. Prior to joining UNFPA Pacific SRO, he was UNFPA Deputy Representative in Sudan and brings more than 20 years of experience in working in the public health sector. Dr. Mateen Shaheen has managed humanitarian response operations in his home country Pakistan, as well as in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, in addition to Sudan, promoting the 'triple nexus' approach to strengthening collaboration, coherence and complementarity between humanitarian, development, and peace actors and enhancing national and community resilience.
Dr Mateen Shaheen has extensive experience in planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), women's empowerment and gender-based violence prevention and response, youth empowerment, HIV/AIDS and drug harm reduction.
He joined UNFPA in 2013 as Deputy Representative in Syria, and previously worked with WHO as Health Cluster/Emergency Response Coordinator, and also with NGO CARITAS Lahore, Pakistan. Dr Mateen Shaheen is a Medical graduate from Pakistan with a Master in Community Health and Health Management in Developing Countries from Heidelberg University, Germany.
Interlinkages between SRHR and climate change in Kiribati - efforts by the Kiribati Family Health Association
Tamoa Moannata, Program Manager, Kiribati Family Health Association
Kiribati is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and sea level rise. King tides cause flooding for days, contaminating drinking water supplies, and in dry seasons, prolonged droughts cause extreme water shortage. It is predicted that Kiribati may be the first country to be completely lost to climate change.
In a country where youth are 45% of the population, Kiribati Family health Association (KFHA) is engaging young people in building capacity in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in emergencies.
KFHA reaches around 75% of Kiribati’s population with key information on SRH education. KFHA started also a movement through workshops, trainings, and advocacy, to prepare people on the islands for when waves strike and flooding happens. Amota will share the outcomes and findings from this work.
Tamoa Moannata
Program Manager
Kiribati Family Health Association (KFHA)
Since 2012, Tamoa Moannata has served as the Healthy Family Project's Program coordinator at KFHA. She is in charge of creating and organizing project activities at KFHA, as a member of the senior management team. She is a strong advocate for island council by laws and policy change initiatives. She also leads SRHR promotional awareness message delivery and oversees all KFHA training initiatives. She is currently working with women and adolescents to improve their capabilities to become resilient to the effects of climate change through training in MISP and SRHR. She serves as the main point of contact for coordination with all important stakeholders, the government and ministries, island counsellors, community and church leaders.
Since 2012, Tamoa Moannata has served as the Healthy Family Project's Program coordinator at KFHA. She is in charge of creating and organizing project activities at KFHA, as a member of the senior management team. She is a strong advocate for island council by laws and policy change initiatives. She also leads SRHR promotional awareness message delivery and oversees all KFHA training initiatives. She is currently working with women and adolescents to improve their capabilities to become resilient to the effects of climate change through training in MISP and SRHR. She serves as the main point of contact for coordination with all important stakeholders, the government and ministries, island counsellors, community and church leaders.
Session 4| Gynae Oncology
Eliminating cervical cancer in the Western Pacific - current status with C4 consortium
Professor Marion Saville
In support of the WHO cervical cancer elimination target, a global strategy with ambitious targets, to be reached by 2030, was endorsed by all member states at the World Health Assembly in 2020.
This presentation will outline the strategic targets and the beginning of collaborative work in the region to demonstrate that scale up is possible, across the vaccination, screening and treatment pillars, in resource limited settings.
The progress of the philanthropically funded Eliminating Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific (ECCWP) program in Vanuatu and the Western Highlands province in PNG will be presented, with a focus on the screening pillar.
Future plans leveraging announced DFAT funding will be presented. This funding will enable the establishment of a new expanded collaboration, the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC) allowing expansion to more countries, and within PNG, to more provinces.
Professor Marion Saville
Executive Director, Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer
Professor Marion Saville is the Executive Director of ACPCC. She currently chairs the working group to review Australia’s Guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities in the National Cervical Screening Program and has also served on has served on cervical screening advisory committees in Australia, New Zealand and Ontario.
Marion is particularly interested in how culturally safe screening can meet the needs of disadvantaged groups who have poorer cancer outcomes. Marion was appointed as a member (AM) of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2020 for her significant service to women’s health through cervical screening initiatives.
Professor Marion Saville is the Executive Director of ACPCC. She currently chairs the working group to review Australia’s Guidelines for the management of screen-detected abnormalities in the National Cervical Screening Program and has also served on has served on cervical screening advisory committees in Australia, New Zealand and Ontario.
Marion is particularly interested in how culturally safe screening can meet the needs of disadvantaged groups who have poorer cancer outcomes. Marion was appointed as a member (AM) of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2020 for her significant service to women’s health through cervical screening initiatives.
Pillar 2: Prevention and early detection of cervical cancer
Professor Andre Cavalho
Professor Andre Cavalho
Deputy Head, Early Detection, Prevention & Infections Branch,
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO)
Professor Andre Carvalho is a distinguished researcher
and clinician specializing in cancer health. His work spans various aspects of
oncology, with a particular focus on innovative treatment approaches and
personalized medicine.
Through his research, Professor Carvalho has contributed
to advancements in cancer therapy, aiming to improve patient outcomes and
quality of life. His expertise in molecular oncology and translational research
has led to ground breaking discoveries in the field, positioning him as a leader
in cancer research globally.
Professor Andre Carvalho is a distinguished researcher
and clinician specializing in cancer health. His work spans various aspects of
oncology, with a particular focus on innovative treatment approaches and
personalized medicine.
Through his research, Professor Carvalho has contributed
to advancements in cancer therapy, aiming to improve patient outcomes and
quality of life. His expertise in molecular oncology and translational research
has led to ground breaking discoveries in the field, positioning him as a leader
in cancer research globally.
ROSE program - thinking outside the square of cervical screening
Professor Yin Ling Woo
Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles
to cervical Screening) is an innovative women centred cervical screening
program developed in Malaysia.
Using self-sampling for HPV
testing, women in the community are empowered to perform their own screening
test followed by linkage of care to their local specialist.
This lecture describes the agility in a screening program that allows different communities to have better access to screening and treatment.
Professor Yin Ling Woo
Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Professor Yin Ling Woo is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Malaya and a consultant gynaecological oncologist in University Malaya Medical Centre.
She completed her specialist and subspecialty training in gynaecological oncology and postdoctoral research degree in the UK and was conferred her PhD by Cambridge University. She returned to Malaysia in 2010 and have since been actively involved in of several research programs focusing on screening, prevention and management of gynaecological cancers in the Malaysian setting.
Prof. Woo believes that any innovation in healthcare services must take into account the local resources with input from the stakeholders, particularly the women themselves. In 2021 and 2022, she was the recipient of the FIGO and Rachel Pearline award respectively for her contributions to gynaecological cancers in LMIC settings.
She is currently the country representative for the Asia-Oceania Research Organisation in Genital Infection and Neoplasia (AOGIN), member of the Asia Pacific Economic Consortium (APEC) Cervical Cancer working group, member of the WHO screening and treatment working group (WHO), newly elected board member of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) and is a founding trustee to ROSE Foundation.
Professor Yin Ling Woo is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Malaya and a consultant gynaecological oncologist in University Malaya Medical Centre.
She completed her specialist and subspecialty training in gynaecological oncology and postdoctoral research degree in the UK and was conferred her PhD by Cambridge University. She returned to Malaysia in 2010 and have since been actively involved in of several research programs focusing on screening, prevention and management of gynaecological cancers in the Malaysian setting.
Prof. Woo believes that any innovation in healthcare services must take into account the local resources with input from the stakeholders, particularly the women themselves. In 2021 and 2022, she was the recipient of the FIGO and Rachel Pearline award respectively for her contributions to gynaecological cancers in LMIC settings.
She is currently the country representative for the Asia-Oceania Research Organisation in Genital Infection and Neoplasia (AOGIN), member of the Asia Pacific Economic Consortium (APEC) Cervical Cancer working group, member of the WHO screening and treatment working group (WHO), newly elected board member of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) and is a founding trustee to ROSE Foundation.
Paracetamol but not morphine
Dr Wendy Muircroft
This presentation addresses the critical need for improved palliative care for women facing cancer in low-resourced Pacific countries. With Panadol often being the only available palliative care drug, the focus extends beyond medication to encompass comprehensive end-of-life care.
Highlighting the challenges in accessing culturally sensitive home palliative care, the discussion emphasizes the importance of tailored support for patients and families. Drawing upon collaborative efforts among organizations, including the Pacific Society for Reproductive Health (PSRH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the session explores avenues for developing innovative solutions.
By harnessing existing goodwill and expertise, we can ensure that all women in the Pacific Islands receive compassionate, quality care during life's most difficult moments.
Dr Wendy Muircroft
Palliative Care Consultant, Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand
Dr Wendy Muircroft is a dedicated healthcare
professional with a passion for cancer health and research. As a clinician, she
provides compassionate care to cancer patients while actively engaging in
research initiatives aimed at improving treatment modalities and outcomes.
Dr Muircroft's expertise lies in areas such as oncology nursing, palliative care,
and patient advocacy.
Her commitment to advancing cancer care is reflected in
her involvement in various projects and collaborations aimed at addressing the
complex challenges associated with cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Dr Wendy Muircroft is a dedicated healthcare professional with a passion for cancer health and research. As a clinician, she provides compassionate care to cancer patients while actively engaging in research initiatives aimed at improving treatment modalities and outcomes.
Dr Muircroft's expertise lies in areas such as oncology nursing, palliative care, and patient advocacy.
Her commitment to advancing cancer care is reflected in her involvement in various projects and collaborations aimed at addressing the complex challenges associated with cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Session 5| Supporting and retaining the workforce
Pacific Island health workforce training and migration trend: desperate situation, drastic solutions, and who should do what
Associate Professor Dr William May
My presentation is focused on the training of health workers in Fiji and the region in response to health workers' migration trends. The Ministries of Health are the biggest employer and undoubtedly the most affected. We as service providers and trainers, play a significant role in addressing the brain drain experienced since our borders opened in 2022.
The Fiji National University is the biggest producer of health workforce in Fiji and most Pacific Island countries. It positions itself as the hub of training with the added edge of its reputation and experience.
Over the past five years, a significant proportion of nurses in Fiji have left the public health system for private institutions and overseas opportunities. This creates a lacuna of skills and numbers within the public health sector. The impact and costs are not definite, but I believe it is significant.
A similar trend is observed for doctors, allied health, and oral health workers. We must understand that the landscape of the provision of health services in Fiji has changed over the past decade. Private health options are available, there is a demand for quality and timely healthcare services and a demand for a clearer career path for health workers.
COVID in my view has reminded us that life and wellbeing are valuable. That work should position itself within the interests of family and well-being and not the other way around.
It is time (in fact we’re late) to explore other measures to maintain the number and skills required for the provision of quality services across all health facilities in Pacific Island countries. In my view, this is an area where development funders, stakeholders, and training institutions can assist with. It is time that pedantic measures are put in place to address the issue.
There is no room for half-hearted efforts that are ingrained in the belief that stronger economies will always win and that greener pastures will always be green. It’s time that the Pacific learns to also plant its pasture!
Associate Professor Dr William May
Associate Professor, School of Medical Sciences, CMNHS, FNU
Associate Professor Dr William May is the immediate ex-Dean of the College of Medicine Nursing &Health Sciences-CMNHS (formerly known as the Fiji School of Medicine) at the Fiji National University and an internal medicine faculty member of at CMNHS.
He acted in the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor in 2020, 2021and 2022 at the Fiji National University. In 2023 he also acted as the Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning & Teaching for three months.
Graduated with MBBS from the Fiji School of Medicine in 1994. He completed his postgraduate Master’s in Internal Medicine in 2004 and is a registered Specialist Physician with a special interest in cardiology. He attained his Graduate Certificate in Medical Education in 2014.
His areas of interest are medical education, health workforce in low-resource settings, and non-communicable disease. He has supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate candidates in Internal Medicine.
He is a senior consultant physician by background and a member of the Fiji Medical & Dental Councils. Dr May has done consultancies in internal medicine and health professional education in the Pacific Island countries.
Associate Professor Dr William May is the immediate ex-Dean of the College of Medicine Nursing &Health Sciences-CMNHS (formerly known as the Fiji School of Medicine) at the Fiji National University and an internal medicine faculty member of at CMNHS.
He acted in the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor in 2020, 2021and 2022 at the Fiji National University. In 2023 he also acted as the Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning & Teaching for three months.
Graduated with MBBS from the Fiji School of Medicine in 1994. He completed his postgraduate Master’s in Internal Medicine in 2004 and is a registered Specialist Physician with a special interest in cardiology. He attained his Graduate Certificate in Medical Education in 2014.
His areas of interest are medical education, health workforce in low-resource settings, and non-communicable disease. He has supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate candidates in Internal Medicine.
He is a senior consultant physician by background and a member of the Fiji Medical & Dental Councils. Dr May has done consultancies in internal medicine and health professional education in the Pacific Island countries.
A health systems approach to retain the health workforce
Dr Dyxon Hansel, Technical Officer Health Systems, WHO
The Pacific Island countries and areas (PICs) face challenges in securing an adequate health workforce due to a range of factors, including the availability and quality of the health workforce and a steady outmigration of qualified health professionals. While some progress has been made, the persistent issues underline the need for more concerted efforts and action.
Salary disparities among the various Pacific Island countries, for instance, can lead to one island luring another's Health workforce with higher pay. To address these challenges, a holistic approach and a range of strategies need to be implemented, including prioritizing health workforce standards and policies, strengthening health sector leadership and governance, increasing access to essential medicines, safeguarding against antimicrobial resistance, improving access to the health workforce, and developing health information systems. These efforts aim to retain and motivate health workers while ensuring sustainable and effective healthcare delivery in the Pacific region.
Dr Dyxon Hansel
Technical Officer Health Systems
World Health Organisation
Dr. Dyxon Hansell joined the World Health Organisation as a Technical Officer
for Health Systems Strengthening in January 2020. Since then, he has
spearheaded efforts to enhance systems and worked with member states to find
solutions to build capacity and improve skilled HCWs through WHO support. His
work across the five member states they support ranges from strengthening
service delivery, and human resources,
to improving governance and monitoring frameworks for health systems.
Before
his current role, he served as the Head of the School of Medicine at the
National University of Samoa. Dr Hansell is an experienced general surgeon
with over a decade of experience in the field. He completed his Master of
Medicine in Surgery in Fiji and has worked in various Pacific Island countries.
His experiences have enabled him to appreciate and learn from diverse cultures.
Dr Hansell is passionate about teaching and improving healthcare services for
all. In his leisure time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, farming, and socializing
with friends over a small bowl of kava.
His work across the five member states they support ranges from strengthening service delivery, and human resources, to improving governance and monitoring frameworks for health systems.
Before his current role, he served as the Head of the School of Medicine at the National University of Samoa. Dr Hansell is an experienced general surgeon with over a decade of experience in the field. He completed his Master of Medicine in Surgery in Fiji and has worked in various Pacific Island countries.
His experiences have enabled him to appreciate and learn from diverse cultures. Dr Hansell is passionate about teaching and improving healthcare services for all. In his leisure time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, farming, and socializing with friends over a small bowl of kava.
Health Facility Readiness and Service Availability (HFRSA) Assessment
Freda Pitakaka
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has conducted the Health Facility Readiness and Service Availability (HFRSA) Baseline Assessment in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in year 2020 to support its efforts in the “Transformative Agenda for women adolescents and youth in the Pacific”.
Freda will share the results and conclusions from this study which set out to ascertain accuracy of data being generated from the Health Management Information System and Logistics Management Information System based on the quality of reported data from health facilities.
Freda Pitakaka
Head of Research Department, Solomon Islands Ministry of Health
Secretariat to the SI Health Research and Ethics Review Board
Currently heading the Research Department of the Solomon Islands (SI) Ministry of Health and Secretariat to the SI Health Research and Ethics Review Board. Freda is also a member of the Solomon Islands Research Committee. The core function of this department is to provide an oversight that includes but not limited to provision of research technical support. Freda is currently a Research Fellow to Kyoto University in Japan. My interest is on evidence finding to improve health service delivery in the region.
Currently heading the Research Department of the Solomon Islands (SI) Ministry of Health and Secretariat to the SI Health Research and Ethics Review Board. Freda is also a member of the Solomon Islands Research Committee. The core function of this department is to provide an oversight that includes but not limited to provision of research technical support. Freda is currently a Research Fellow to Kyoto University in Japan. My interest is on evidence finding to improve health service delivery in the region.
Supporting domestic clinician workforce in Pacific countries
Dr Silina Motofaga, Team Leader, Clinical Services Program, SPC
Supporting domestic clinician workforce is profound to the development of clinical discipline specific areas and strengthening skill set and capacity building for member countries. This was re- iterated at the regional Directors of Clinical Services meeting and the Pacific Heads of Nursing & Midwifery meeting convened by SPC over the past two years.
Her recent area of research work can be accessed here, to understand Pacific women HCWs experience from the COVID-19 frontline to contribute to policies aimed at addressing gendered gaps in regional health systems.
Dr Silina Motofaga
Team Leader, Clinical Services Program, SPC
Dr Silina Motofaga is the Team Leader for the Clinical services program at the Public Health Division (PHD) at the Pacific Community (SPC) and has had over 20 years of public health experience coupled with a master’s degree in public health. She has provided technical inputs and advice for clinical services and public health at national and regional levels for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).
Dr Silina Motofaga is the Team Leader for the Clinical services program at the Public Health Division (PHD) at the Pacific Community (SPC) and has had over 20 years of public health experience coupled with a master’s degree in public health. She has provided technical inputs and advice for clinical services and public health at national and regional levels for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).
Session 8| Current initiatives building resilient reproductive health in the Pacific
Strengthening
policy environment for cervical cancer: a review of the development of first
cervical cancer elimination strategies in Pacific
Dr Titilola Duro-Aina
The Pacific region has some of the world’s highest incidence rates of cervical cancer, challenging the achievement of the SDGs and the Pacific countries’ Healthy Islands Vision. Because of poor access to high-quality screening and treatment services, most cervical cancer deaths in the world (85%) occur in women living in low- and middle-income countries – and this trend applies also to the Pacific, with cervical cancer reported as one of the most common causes of cancer deaths among women in the Pacific. In 2015, The Pacific Islands Forum identified cervical cancer as an important public health threat and concern for the women in the Pacific hence declaring it one of the top three regional priorities. In November 2020, the World Health Organization launched a Global Strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. In response, Pacific Health Ministers at the 2022 Pacific Health Ministers Meeting (PHMM) highlighted the need to prioritize and focus on cervical cancer elimination through adequate resourcing of prevention programs including policy development, screening, and vaccination activities.
Against this background and recognising the need for the development of a governance documents to eliminate cervical cancer from Pacific Island Countries (PICs), UNFPA Pacific office commissioned the development of Cervical Cancer Elimination Policy and Strategies for 4 PICs including Samoa, Solomons, Marshall Islands and Tonga. This resulted in the development of the first policy that has provided a framework to comprehensively address the elimination of cervical cancer in each PICs (Samoa, Solomons, Tonga and Marshall Islands) through the systematic implementation of evidence-based interventions for HPV vaccination, cervical cancer HPV screening, timely diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. It sets in place strategies to increase awareness of the local burden of disease, set priorities for elimination (long-term) and the treatment and management of cervical cancer based on evidence-based strategies to achieve targets to reduce morbidity and mortality relating to cervical cancer and to work towards its elimination.
Conclusion: To ensure coordinated action towards the goal of cervical cancer elimination in Pacific Island Countries, jointly developed national policy documents are critical. These facilitate stakeholder buy-in, eliminates duplication of efforts and promotes resource mobilization, which in turn will ultimately lead to the elimination of this burden to women’s health in the region.
Dr Titilola Duro-Aina
Chief of health and Technical Advisor SRHR, UNFPA PSRO, Suva, Fiji
Dr Titilola Duro-Aina is Chief of Health and Technical Advisor SRHR with UNFPA Pacific SRO. Prior to joining UNFPA Pacific SRO, she was working for UNFPA’S PNG Country Office as the Technical Specialist FP/MH/RHCS and has over 18 years of national and international work experience in the design, implementation, and management of innovative SRH, maternal health, humanitarian, family planning, RHCS, adolescent, youth, and condom programming. She’s been instrumental in the development and roll-out of health sector response to GBV, cervical cancer elimination strategies and establishment of maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response systems across the pacific
Prior to joining UNFPA, Dr Titilola worked on and provided leadership on several BMGF; USAID and MacArthur Foundation projects including the development of the Non-pneumatic Anti-shock Garment as a temporizing device for obstetric haemorrhage in collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco. She also facilitated the roll out of strategic SRH capacity building activities on FP/LARC, EMONC, Supply Chain Management; provided strategic guidance to SRH humanitarian preparedness for MISP; the establishment of SRH and PSEA coordination platforms; and supported policy dialogue and the development of National and sub-national SRH strategic documents.
Dr Titilola holds a Medicine and Surgery degree, Masters in Population and RH, and a Postgraduate degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
She is a passionate advocate of women’s rights and the advancement of sustainable health systems.
Cervical cancer elimination in the Pacific region: the EPICC program
Professor Deborah Bateson
Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease; however, it is still one of the most common cancers in women in the Pacific region. To guide elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, WHO developed a global strategy based on 3 main pillars: HPV vaccination, HPV screening, and precancer and cancer treatment.
The EPICC (Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer) project builds on the previous work of consortium members through the ECCWP (Elimination of Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific) initiative, which has facilitated HPV vaccination, cervical screen-and-treat programs in PNG and Vanuatu.
Professor Deborah Bateson AM
Professor of Practice, Co-Leader HPV and Cervical Cancer Stream,
The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney
Professor Bateson is a Professor of Practice and co-leads the HPV and cervical cancer stream at The Daffodil Centre. She is a global leader in women’s health, with 20+ years of experience, including roles as Medical Director of Family Planning Australia and Global Medical Director of MSI International.
She chaired Australia’s NCSP Self-Collection Implementation Committee, leads an NHMRC-funded project to increase cervical screening equity for women with disability and is a co-lead of ECCWP and EPICC programs.
Strengthening preconception health services in the Pacific: strategies, lessons and resources to support resilience
Meg Sheahan
Preconception health services aim to identify and modify biomedical, behavioral, and social risks to an individual’s health or future pregnancy. These services promote the health of individuals before conception or between births, which helps to reduce adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Preconception health services benefit all individuals of reproductive age, regardless of whether they are planning a pregnancy. Preconception health services support resilience in the region through improved overall health and a multisectoral systems strengthening approach.
The Reproductive Health National Training Centre (RHNTC) has worked in the Pacific with Title X-funded family planning programs
and their partners to strengthen preconception
health services to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and
improve health outcomes. We have identified strategies and lessons, and
developed resources, for strengthening preconception health services.
Meg Sheahan
Certified Nurse Midwife and Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialist,
Senior Clinical Consultant for JSI’s Reproductive Health National Training Centre, Boston, USA
Meg Sheahan MSN, CNM, MPH is a certified nurse midwife and sexual and reproductive health specialist with expertise in program implementation, clinical services, and technical assistance. Focusing on programs in the Pacific, Ms. Sheahan provides technical assistance to the Title X-funded family planning network as a Senior Clinical Consultant for JSI’s Reproductive Health National Training Centre.
She works collaboratively with her colleagues in the Pacific to strengthen sexual and reproductive health services in the region and improve health outcomes.
Point-of-care testing and treatment of sexually transmitted and genital infections to improve birth outcomes in high-burden, low-resource settings: results of a pragmatic cluster randomised crossover trial in Papua New Guinea (WANTAIM)
Professor Andrew Vallely
Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis (BV) have been associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes but there is conflicting evidence on the benefits of antenatal screening and treatment for these conditions.
Andrew was part of conducting a cluster-randomised crossover trial in 10 primary health facilities and their catchment communities in Papua New Guinea. They compared point-of-care testing and immediate treatment of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis and BV with standard care, which included symptom-based treatment without laboratory confirmation. Primary outcome was a composite of preterm birth and/or low birthweight, analysed according to intention-to-treat.
Andrew will share findings and interpretations from this study.
Professor Andrew Vallely
Head of Global Reproductive Health, Kirby Institute, University of NSW, Sydney, and the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
Professor Andrew Vallely is a
medically-trained clinical epidemiologist and Head of Global Reproductive
Health at the Kirby Institute UNSW Sydney, and the Papua New Guinea Institute
of Medical Research, with over 25 years’ experience in global health.
At the PNGIMR, he led the first trial in any setting to evaluate antenatal point-of-care STI testing and treatment to improve birth outcomes (WANTAIM); and the first trials of point-of-care HPV self-collect, test-and-treat for cervical screening (HPV-STAT). He jointly leads the Eliminate Cervical Cancer across the Western Pacific program to advance cervical cancer elimination in PNG, Vanuatu, and our region.
Navigating the impact of changing climate on SRHR in the Pacific - spotlight on endometrial cancer and empowering resilience
Dr Aumea Herman
Our Pacific peoples’ ability to survive modern existential public health threats such as the climate crisis and the obesogenic environment we live in, requires urgent action on the determinants of health. Investment in responsive and resilient health systems that mitigate disruptions to SRHR services access, as well as the establishment of informed mobilised Pacific communities is critical.
Dr Aumea Herman
Chief Clinical Advisor Pacific Health
Manatū Hauora New Zealand Ministry of Health
Dr Herman is of Cook Islands descent, a public health physician, epidemiologist and GP, and the Chief Clinical Advisor Pacific Health at Manatū Hauora New Zealand Ministry of Health. She is the former Director of Pacific Health at Waitematā District Health Board and prior to this was Secretary for Te Marae Ora Cook Islands Ministry of Health. While in the Cook Islands she helped lead health reforms and the national health response to COVID-19.
Dr Herman is a member of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine Council and an honorary senior research fellow with the University of Auckland. In 2023, she received the Pasifika Medical Association Life Member award for her services to Pacific peoples.