The Pasifika Medical Association conference is the largest meeting of Pacific health workers and professionals from around the region.
PMA president Dr Kiki Moate said this year the conference had brought in more than 200 local and regional delegates.
“The event provides the opportunity to collaborate on a range of issues important to improving the health outcomes of Pacific peoples across the region,” Dr Moate said.
“It enables us to reach beyond our geographical boundaries, move out from our everyday concerns and share with our colleges, innovations, learning’s, best practise models and supports to develop solutions to the challenges that face our countries.
“Claiming Health Futures provides the opportunity to develop and strengthen skills, foster and share innovation in relation to the clinical focus on the conference.
“It will encourage and support Pacific health professionals and those working with Pacific communities to become better equipped to serve communities around the region during these challenging times.”
“The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Cancer and Child and Maternal Health’, have been carefully indentified to reflect the growing urgency of these key issues within the region,”Dr Moate said.
Pacific health leaders are making critical decisions regarding health investments in a period of scarce resources while dealing with the growing demand and urgency of non communicable diseases.
Malaria and HIV still remain key dominating health challenges for some Pacific countries.
Pacific countries are equally concerned with the ongoing challenges of disaster management and global warming while delivering on their responsibilities with regard to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
“These issues require engagement not only of countries and health workers but also of donors and partners,” Dr Moate said..
Quick fact - The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) was established in 1996 as an incorporated society by Pacific medical professionals who identified the need to provide a forum for Pacific doctors , students and allied health professionals to network, support, peer review and promote evidence based research in order to service delivery for Pacific people.
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