Challenges for healthcare in the Pacific Islands [Extended]
How close are you to your nearest hospital? If you are really unlucky, it’s probably a couple of hours away, and you can easily be transported by plane if need be. Now imagine what life would be like if the nearest hospital was a few months away… by boat.
This is one of the challenges facing healthcare in the Pacific Islands, where distances between islands can prevent timely access to medical services.
Lack of resources and doctors and nurses also contribute to the health gap between Australia and our closest neighbours. For the last eight years, the
For the last eight years, the UTS World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development has been upskilling leaders from Pacific nations to improve health outcomes. A delegation has been in Sydney for the last two weeks as part of the program, and joined Think: Health to discuss the challenges for healthcare in the Pacific.
Speakers:
Michele Rumsey- Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at UTS
Gordon – Nursing officer and visiting Solomon Islands delegate
Nancy – Dialysis Unit Nursing Manager and visiting Nauruan delegate
Tamali – Midwife and visiting Samoan delegate
Moralene – Past Fellow, WHO Program
Professor John Daly – Dean, Faculty of Health UTS
Producer: Ellen Leabeater
Image: simonagerphotography
