Yesterday was World No Tobacco Day with the theme “We need more food, not tobacco”.  It aims at raising awareness of alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers.

A specialised training in orthopaedics focusing on hip and spine surgery has provided health practitioners an opportunity to strengthen and upskill knowledge in theory and practise.

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.

Infection, prevention, and control (IPC) focal points from Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Kiribati, and Solomon Islands successfully completed a 10-hour hand hygiene Gold standard auditors training. They are now recognised as the first cohort of IPC focal points in the Pacific as Hand Hygiene Australia (HHA) Gold Standard Compliance Auditors & Assessors, and are now able to train general auditors making the program more sustainable at country level.

The training was held virtually during the first week of April and was facilitated by Kate Ryan, HHA Manager and Program coordinator.