The report is the product of the collaborative efforts of AstraZeneca, KPMG, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Royal Philips, the World Economic Forum, CAPRI, and the World Health Organization Foundation. These organisations have demonstrated the commitment to strengthening public health systems and provisions through their Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR).
The Sustainability and Resilience in Pacific Island Health Systems report examines the unique landscape and challenges faced by health systems in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). It also explores actionable pathways to strengthen these systems, including improving population health, enhancing healthcare workforce capacity, and addressing gaps in health system financing and governance.
The report was spearheaded by Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM, Board Director for PMA Group and Director of the University of Auckland's Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa (Centre for Pacific and Global Health), with contributions from experts such as Dr. Roannie Ng Shiu; Honorable Siale ‘Akau‘ola, current Minister of Health of Tonga; Emi Chutaro, Executive Director of Pacific Island Health Officers Association; and Caroline Fried, CAPRI’s Director of Research.
Sir Tukuitonga delves into how the collaborative work highlights the challenges faced by health systems in the region.
"With small population groups scattered across vast distances, the Pacific Islands face several unique and interconnected developmental challenges, including unreliable and expensive transport, small and fragile economies, and vulnerability to climate change.
In her welcoming remarks, Prof. Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, the University's Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, relayed the significance of the report.
"This report represents months of diligence, international research efforts, careful analysis and a deep commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding on Pacific matters such as workforce development, climate change, environmental sustainability, population health, governance and so much more, with a particular emphasis on health systems within the Pacific region, focusing on the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Republic of Vanuatu.
"I would like to express our congratulations, to all who have contributed to the creation of this report.
"I encourage you all here, to reflect on how the data and conclusions may impact your own work, your communities, and our broader shared goals. I consider that all the discernments from this report have the potential to inspire meaningful change to ignite new ideas and foster collaborations that will lead to tangible improvements, particularly for the three Pacific nations highlighted."
Hon. Siale 'Akau'ola, speaks on the value and motivation in contributing to the report.
“As a health manager in the Pacific for long time and in facing challenges, you have to like your job and to be resilient.
"There has been a lot of people before me, which motivates me a lot. That’s important when it comes to being a leader and to remain being a heath champion.
"When you are working in the health sector you have to address what is needed by the people.”
The opening keynote was provided by the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia, who commended all the stakeholders involved in the creation of the report.
"This report sheds light on the pressing health challenges in the Pacific, where healthcare access, infrastructure, resilience face increasing pressure from natural disasters, non-communicable diseases, obesity, climate change, economic vulnerabilities. It’s got a comprehensive analysis of those challenges and highlights the potential for innovative governance and collaboration to overcome them.
"It’s a testament to the power of partnership, with local governments, NGO’s, international organizations and the private sector. And the message is clear, resilience must be integrated in to all components of the health system, from the beginning to the end."
