Pasifika Medical Association Group

28/11/2025

As we celebrate Solomon Islands Language Week, we are reminded that language is more than words — it is identity, history, and the heartbeat of our people. This year’s theme, “Protect our language and culture,” calls us to honour the voices that shaped us and ensure they continue into the future.

One Solomon Islander who embodies this spirit is Dr. Maryanne One’asi Harihiru Kora’ai, a proud daughter of Malaita Province, a paediatrician, and a dedicated advocate for children’s heart health across the Pacific.

🔗 Read here: https://bit.ly/4iylGjO

25/11/2025

The New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS) continues to strengthen Tonga’s Emergency Department at Vaiola Hospital through sustained POCUS training.

Dr ’Eliesa Tonga Ma’u recently used these skills to identify and treat a life-threatening tension haemothorax, stabilising a critically unwell patient within minutes. Now Tonga’s first PEARLS-POCUS instructor, he is helping train more local clinicians and build sustainable, in-country capacity.

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

🔗Read full story here https://shorturl.at/JiHOT

12/11/2025

PMA proudly congratulates PMA President, Dr Kiki Maoate ONZM FRACS, PMA Board Director, Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM, and PMA founding member, Dame Teuila Percival DNZM, on their appointment as Fellows of the Pacific Academy of Sciences (PAS) 🙌🏾

Established in 2024, the academy brings together Pacific scholars and knowledge holders to strengthen regional research capacity and ensure Pacific science informs global conversations.

Dr Maoate, Sir Collin, and Dame Teuila will be formally inducted at the Pacific Academy of Sciences’ inaugural Congress from 16–18 February 2026 in Apia, Samoa.

10/11/2025

After seven years, the Pacific Islands Surgeons Association (PISA) reunited in Suva for the ECO Care Equity in the Asia-Pacific Conference — marking a key moment for the region’s surgical community.

Supported by the Pasifika Medical Association Group through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme, 25 Fijian doctors joined regional and global partners to strengthen emergency, critical, and operative care across the Pacific.

The conference reinforced the power of collaboration and shared purpose in advancing Pacific health systems.

🔗Read full story here https://shorturl.at/Os4td

PC: Ministry of Health and Medical Services Fiji

10/11/2025

The latest Uto Bulabula – Healthy Hearts initiative has come to a close, with all 13 young patients from Fiji and across the Pacific safely home following their successful cardiac surgeries.

Since launching last year, the programme has expanded to include Tonga and the Solomon Islands, giving more Pacific children access to life-saving cardiac care — a true testament to the power of partnership and shared purpose.

Each milestone reflects a collective commitment to creating lasting change for Pacific children and their communities.

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

🔗Read full story here https://shorturl.at/0uUSS

05/11/2025

Let’s protect ourselves from measles by getting the MMR vaccination!

With the current outbreak of measles in New Zealand, it’s important that we are vigilant and doing what we can to protect each other 💙

As part of measles immunisation week, we encourage our Pacific community to get vaccinated. Our Etu Pasifika Auckland clinic will be running vaccination drives for the next few weekends & is open to anyone 🙏🏾

02/11/2025

Pacific communities are being urged to get their MMR vaccination with New Zealand experiencing a growing outbreak of measles.

PMA Board Director & Public Health expert, Sir Collin Tukuitonga, says the low vaccination rates are concerning especially given the high risk that measles poses for Pacific communities and families.

Health experts warn that low vaccination rates could put New Zealand’s health system under pressure if measles continues to spread.

29/10/2025

Happy Tokelau Language Week! Here's a throwback to last year's Tokelau Easter Festival, an event we were proud to support 🇹🇰

The theme for this year's Tokelau Language Week is "Tokelau, Puaki mai ko tau aganuku mo fanau i te lumanaki - Tokelau, Unleash your culture for future generations."

We encourage you all to learn some Tokelauan words this week to do our part in celebrating and acknowledging TLW 🙌🏾

28/10/2025

Samoan Emergency Registrar Dr Sebastian Paulo recently attended the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine Conference 2025, supported through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS). The conference brought together experts from across the region to advance ultrasound in clinical care-knowledge Dr Paulo is now applying to strengthen emergency and critical care services in Samoa.

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

🔗Read full story here https://shorturl.at/M765A

23/10/2025

Smiles were all around today, among clinic staff and our young patients as they underwent their post-operative consultations with Dr Maryanne Kora’ai.

These follow-ups mark an important stage in the Uto Bulabula – Healthy Hearts initiative, ensuring each child continues to recover well after their life-saving cardiac surgeries. The transformation has been extraordinary, as children who were once struggling with cardiac conditions are now healthy, active, and full of life.

The collaboration between the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, Hearts4Kids Foundation, and the Pasifika Medical Association Group, through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme, continues to create lasting impact and strengthen paediatric cardiac care across the Pacific.

22/10/2025

Kia monuina e Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue! This week we celebrate the beauty, strength, and endurance of language, culture, and identity 🇳🇺

For Chanae Ihimaera, a proud tagata Niue and Māori woman, reconnecting to both sides of her heritage has been a journey of healing — honouring her Nana and Pop’s legacy, weaving family stories into her work, and helping others see that language is memory, connection, and belonging.

🔗 Read here: https://bit.ly/3Jnzro2

22/10/2025

🗓️Big news! The Pasifika Medical Association will be celebrating 30 years of service, innovation and excellence. Join us for the PMA Conference in Auckland, NZ on August 5th–7th

You won’t want to miss this milestone event. Exciting details coming soon! 👀✨