(L-R) FNU CMNHS Associate Dean Research Dr Donald Wilson and Regional Health Security Ambassador at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Dr Stephanie Williams during the keynote address.
Australia remains committed to supporting the Pacific countries in the fight against COVID through its health security and vaccine access initiative and other development programs.
Regional Health Security Ambassador at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Dr Stephanie Williams made these comments while speaking at the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium (PIHRS).
Dr Williams highlighted there was high vaccine coverage in some Pacific Island countries with the need to accelerate from a slower start in others.
She stated the need for discussions about vaccine and strategy – and not a vaccine-only strategy.
The Ambassador said public health social measures and the public health corporate capacities have also been part of Australia’s support and response to COVID in the region.
“We can’t shy away from the challenges of COVID and fostering regional solutions, working in a coordinated way and enabling the evidence to reach the leadership, are all part of what we need to continue to do well.”
“The message from the World Health Organisation is clear – we are still in an acute phase of the pandemic. From my perspective, what we can take from the strength to date to continue adapting to a COVID pandemic world is to communicate, convene, coordinate from leaders, health leaders, regional organisations, on issues to drive solutions.”
Dr Williams also stated that Australia recognises the importance of conducting health research and building local research capacity.
“To enable local research to inform local solution, we continue to support applied research directly and in partnership with organisations.”
“It is also the quality of research that is essential to inform good policy and action – this has already proved so important for our COVID response,” Dr. Williams added.
PIHRS is the annual flagship event of FNU’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) organised by the Fiji Institute for Pacific Health Research. The Symposium brings together health experts researching health issues and challenges prevalent in the region. This year marks the 10th-anniversary of the symposium.
To reflect the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic globally and how it has affected people, their health and particularly health systems; the theme for the two-day virtual symposium is ‘Health Security in the Pacific: Lessons from the Pandemic Experience.’