The University of Fiji proudly hosted a historic international conference at its Samabula Campus, bringing together the Pacific Islands Surgeons Association (PISA), the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), and the G4 Alliance for the first time ever to advance collaborative surgical development across the Pacific region.
The three-day event marked a major milestone for the Pacific’s health sector, attracting leading surgeons, medical specialists, policymakers, and students from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, East Timor, New Zealand, and Australia.
The conference focused on strengthening regional surgical training, improving public health integration, fostering research, and enhancing access to safe surgery, particularly for remote island communities. It also provided a global platform for budding Pacific surgeons to present clinical audits and research projects while encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
UniFiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem emphasised that hosting this groundbreaking collaboration reinforces the University’s role in shaping the future of healthcare in the Pacific.
“This conference provided an opportunity for the University of Fiji to showcase its expertise alongside colleagues from the region. ‘The papers presented illustrated the complex topics regarding healthcare in the region. While the challenges are myriad in nature and scope, we see that collaboration with other medical personnel at senior level and the Ministry of Health in Fiji, we can find solutions that are appropriate for both Fiji and the wider Pacific’ she said. Professor Shameem said that the University was in the process of determining how to add value to medical research in the region through MOUs and partnerships between the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine and Health Science and other universities and medical research institutes in the region.”
President of PISA and Professor of Surgery at The University of Fiji, Professor Ifereimi Waqainabete acknowledged the significance of this partnership and highlighted that this conference is truly a landmark achievement for the Pacific.
“It is the first time that the Pacific Islands Surgeons Association, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the G4 Alliance have collaborated to deliver a unified platform for advancing regional surgical practice. By hosting this historic gathering, the University of Fiji has demonstrated its growing capacity to contribute to surgical training, leadership development and improved access to care across our Pacific Island nations.”
“We are proud that this forum has enabled our surgeons to share innovations, discuss solutions to our shared challenges, and invest in the next generation of Pacific clinicians. The commitment shown here reflects our collective responsibility to ensure safer surgery, stronger systems and a healthier future for all Pacific peoples.”
Dr. Abhijit Gogoi, Associate Professor at the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine & Health Sciences (UPSM & HS), also emphasized on the importance of the event.
“Hosting the PISA–RACS–G4 Alliance was a landmark event for UPSM & HS. It provided our staff and students an exceptional opportunity to engage with eminent regional and international surgical leaders, including the Fijian Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. Antonio Lalabalavu, and WHO WPRO Regional Director, Dr. Saia Piukala. We were especially proud to have Professor Ifereimi Waqainabete Professor of Surgery at UPSM & HS, University of Fiji, and a pioneer of this conference deliver one of the keynote addresses, setting the tone for collaborative regional surgical advancement.
“Exposure to such a high-level forum on global surgery, innovation, and regional collaboration has been invaluable. For our students, it was an inspiring platform to witness academic excellence in action, network with leading surgeons, and understand the broader context of surgery within global health. For our faculty, it reaffirmed our commitment to advancing surgical education, research, and capacity-building in the Pacific. This collaboration exemplifies how UniFiji continues to bridge education, research, and community service in pursuit of better health outcomes for our region.”
This landmark collaboration has set a new benchmark for regional medical cooperation. The University of Fiji looks forward to continuing its role as a hub for global–Pacific partnerships that enhance clinical expertise, strengthen health systems, and inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders.
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