Participants at the Ultrasound Workshop held at the Pasifika Campus.

In an effort to bolster the clinical expertise of healthcare professionals in the region, the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) at Fiji National University recently facilitated an Obstetrics Ultrasound Workshop for medical ultrasound practitioners from Fiji and neighbouring countries.

CMNHS Head of the School for Health Sciences and the Director of the World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology Center of Education (COE) in Fiji, Raymond Keshwan, said the workshop targeted the advancement of participants’ technical ultrasound proficiency and the standardisation of their practices.

“The training updated participants on the latest techniques and guidelines, ensuring compliance with international standards. It will boost confidence and ensure consistent, high-quality care for expectant mothers and their growing fetus (baby),” Keshwan said.

The Center of Education (COE) for the World Federation of Ultrasound (WFUMB) in Fiji was established in 2019 to address the Pacific region’s need for improved medical and diagnostic ultrasound radiological services.

Participants at the Ultrasound Workshop.

This was led by Keshwan and his medical imaging team with the formation of the Pacific Islands Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (PISUM). It gained global recognition when it affiliated with the Asian Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine during its 16th Congress in May 2024.

“Both the WFUMB COE housed in the Medical Imaging Department at FNU and PISUM provide sustainable ultrasound training in the Pacific through short-term skill enhancement programmes for practitioners through the engagement of volunteers,” Keshwan said.

Facilitator Sue Westerway said the workshop was very beneficial to the participants as they learned the important procedures for scanning.

“It’s all very well to know it in theory, but you must be able to do the practical. It’s that psychomotor skill of being able to look at a screen and move your hand, particularly with obstetrics. So, this is our 10th course, and we’ve run them for the abdomen scanning,” she said.

“The participants have all improved as some had never scanned, but they have received the right techniques and training.

“A lot of them not having done much ultrasound at all, can now do a complete study. Without the medical imaging staff of FNU, we couldn’t have done any of this because the facilities and staff are fantastic, and we only run these courses during study breaks or when the University is not full of other things, so it’s putting the staff members in the programmes.”

Participant Dr Micah Misivet from Papua New Guinea said the workshop equipped him to enhance his knowledge and skills.

“I have learned how to do formal scanning so that I don’t miss out any abnormalities or any features that are of concern when doing this,” the 34-year-old said.

“The workshop was very informative, and it gave me the right direction.”

The workshop was held at the Pasifika Campus.