scholarly journals Covid-19 underscores long held strengths and challenges in Pacific health.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 351-353
Author(s):  
Jacinta Fa'alii-Fidow
Keyword(s):  
Frontline Workers ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Media Communications ◽  
Pacific Health

Much has been made of the Pacific Covid-19 response and the manner in which Pacific providers and communities rallied to combat Covid-19, particularly during the second Auckland outbreak. Led by a well-coordinated central team of Pacific experts from across the country, frontline workers, officials, media, communications experts, researchers and community champions across all sectors acted swiftly, demonstrating their versatility and the potential to respond and to protect their people when given the mandate and resources.  

Transitioning from Print to Online-Only Resources

2018 ◽  
pp. 175-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Glusker ◽  
Elisa Hoelscher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Space ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Loan System

The Pacific Health Organization's Medical Library transitioned from its holdings being entirely in print to entirely online in an extremely short time span—the bulk of the process happened in less than six months. Leadership interests and support drove this transition, as did cost concerns and the interest in providing equal access to a geographically dispersed staff. Flexible staff that was able to adapt to new roles and a robust interlibrary loan system made the change possible. There were initial costs, but on the whole, there were mostly benefits to the change, financial and otherwise. Patron reception was more negative among those with less comfort in the digital environment, but most adjusted well. Ongoing challenges include marketing and maintaining patron awareness without a physical space, meeting user expectations for quick and easy access and information, and keeping up to date with emerging technologies, such as applications for mobile devices.

Transitioning from Print to Online-Only Resources

2014 ◽  
pp. 226-242
Author(s):  
Ann Glusker ◽  
Elisa Hoelscher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Space ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Medical Library ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
User Expectations ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Loan System

The Pacific Health Organization’s Medical Library transitioned from its holdings being entirely in print to entirely online in an extremely short time span—the bulk of the process happened in less than six months. Leadership interests and support drove this transition, as did cost concerns and the interest in providing equal access to a geographically dispersed staff. Flexible staff that was able to adapt to new roles and a robust interlibrary loan system made the change possible. There were initial costs, but on the whole, there were mostly benefits to the change, financial and otherwise. Patron reception was more negative among those with less comfort in the digital environment, but most adjusted well. Ongoing challenges include marketing and maintaining patron awareness without a physical space, meeting user expectations for quick and easy access and information, and keeping up to date with emerging technologies, such as applications for mobile devices.

scholarly journals Universal Health Coverage and The Pacific Islands: Challenges Faced and Priority Responses, 2015-2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam T Craig ◽  
Kristen Beek ◽  
Katherine Gilbert ◽  
Taniela Sunia Suakai ◽  
Siaw-Teng Liaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
Universal Health

Abstract Background In 1995, Pacific Health Ministers articulated their vision of a healthy Pacific as ‘a place where children are nurtured in body and mind; environments invite learning and leisure; people work and age with dignity; where ecological balance is a source of pride; and where the ocean is protected.’ Central to this vision is the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). Method: To shed light on the current UHC-related priorities of Pacific health authorities and promote alignment of domestic and international investments in health sector development, we thematically analyzed the discussion, resolutions, and recommendations from 5-years (2015–2020) of senior-level Pacific health meetings. Results Five main themes emerged, (i) the Healthy Islands vision has (and continues to have) a unifying influence on action for UHC; (ii) adoption of appropriate service delivery models that support integrated primary health care at the community level are needed; (iii) human resources for health are critical if efforts to achieve UHC are to be successful; (iv) access to reliable health information is core to health sector improvement; and (v) while not a panacea for all challenges, digital health offers many opportunities. Small and isolated populations, chronic workforce limitations, weak governance arrangements, aging and inadequate health facilities, and supply chain and logistics difficulties (among other issues) interact to challenge primary health care delivery across the Pacific islands. Conclusion We found evidence that the Healthy Islands vision is a tool that garners support for UHC; however, to realize the vision, a realistic understanding of needed political, human resource, and economic investments is required. The significant disruptive effect of COVID-19 and the uncertainty it brings for implementation of the medium- to long-term health development agenda raises concern that progress may stagnate or retreat.

Telehealth in the Pacific: Update 2018

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-38
Author(s):  
Wame Baravilala
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Cook Islands ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Health ◽  
National Referral Hospital

In the South Pacific, there have been reports of the Cook Islands getting into Telemedicine with cases being referred from Aitutaki to Rarotonga and then onto a clinical focal point in New Zealand.  The National Referral Hospital in Honiara, Solomon Islands3 was, for several years, using telepathology services where European pathologists were able to report on over 300 cases where specimen slides were prepared in Honiara, digitised then emailed to them for reading.  Despite the opportunities that have been provided, and are available, there is a dearth of publications and reports on telehealth and/or telemedicine use or innovations in the Pacific apart from what was achieved in the late 1990s and early 2000s. What are the possible reasons for this?  Telehealth is established in the Pacific to some extent but it requires the next generation of health professionals to realise its true potential for improving Pacific health.

scholarly journals Achieving UHC in the Pacific, a Closer Look at Implementation: Summary of a Report for Pacific Health Ministers

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Gilbert ◽  
Kunhee Park ◽  
Corinne Capuano ◽  
Taniela Sunia Soakai ◽  
Beth Slatyer
Keyword(s):  
The Pacific ◽  
Pacific Health
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