Large gathering of Pacific Medical Leaders

Large gathering of Pacific Medical Leaders expected in Auckland next week

The largest gathering of Pacific health workers from the South Pacific region will meet in Auckland from the 8th to 10th of September.

They’ll be attending a conference with the theme ‘Changing our Future’.

Organised by the Pasifika Medical Association, three hundred or more health professionals are expected to attend from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Australia.

“The conference provides a forum for health professionals and stakeholders to discuss local and regional issues that influence the health outcomes of Pacific peoples. It will also provide an opportunity to disseminate evidence based knowledge through workshops, presentations and key note addresses; along with allowing participants to network and strengthen relationships” says PMA president Dr Kiki Maoate.

The conference is being held at the Ellerslie Convention Centre in Auckland.

On the evening of Wednesday September 8th the Deputy Prime Minister – the Hon Bill English will launch a book published by the Pasifika Medical Association called ‘Navigators’ in which Pacific health leaders share their stories, many for the first time.

The working sessions of the conference begin on the 9th and “Changing Our Future” will be formally opened that morning by the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs – the Hon Georgina Te Heuheu.

ENDS