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The COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease 2019) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. Globally, nations are taking actions to reduce and control the spread of the virus.
These are just some of the many public health milestones that we should be proud of as people in the Pacific. These successes are a testament to what we can achieve if we all –leaders, health workers, volunteers, communities, partners and donors – work together towards common health goals
Disease surveillance by the WHO shows mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are rising sharply.
Climate change forecasters have warned for years that the warmer and wetter world created by the climate crisis will drive a surge in mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever.
Experts say that in the Pacific Islands, such predictions are now becoming a reality.
Photo: Oni Lewakulati (Fiji) separating female mosquitoes from males in the QIMR Berghofer Mosquito Control Lab. - Credit: PacMOSSI
This content has been shared here with permission and was originally published on QIMR Berghofer website.
Every consumable product has a shelf life, and it is no different when it comes to health resources and medical supplies. Medicines and medical supplies tend to lose their effectiveness over time and lead to wastage.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 85% is general non-hazardous waste generated by healthcare. It is noted that the quantity of healthcare waste in the Pacific is increasing as population grows demanding more medical services.
Since its creation in December 1996 a key objective of the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) has been to connect health professionals to facilitate timely sharing of information about health threats in the region.
From the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Pacific Community has worked with donor agencies and partners to strengthen and safeguard the health of Pacific Islanders.
Working with international agencies and local authorities, SPC, the World Health Organisation and the World Food Program helped provide much need medical and humanitarian resources to strengthen COVID 19 preparedness and response.
I have worked in the Pacific health sector for the past 20 years and continue to witness our region advance and evolve with its health service delivery, resources, and health expertise and progress steadily towards the Healthy Islands Vision.
The Pacific Community (SPC) and its Public Health Division work in the region to support PICTs by providing technical assistance, advise, supporting capacity development and improving health service delivery and resources.
