Joint stakeholders meeting held in Suva
In May 2025, Pacific Dermatology Ltd hosted a hybrid joint stakeholder meeting focused on understanding regional challenges and exploring potential solutions for skin health issues across the South Pacific. The event took place online and in person, with physical attendees gathering at the meeting hall of Maitaka House, Fiji Centre for Disease Control and others […]
Joseph’s journey to Dermatology: A path rooted in experience and commitment
Dr Joseph Sangatu’s path to Dermatology was shaped by his extensive experience as a general practitioner. Coming from a small island close to Honiara, he pursued and in 2013 achieved his dream of becoming a graduate from the Fiji School of Medicine (FSM). After completing his medical degree, Dr Sangatu worked in various departments at […]
Funding lifeline for skin disease and education
Four years of funding of Dermatology training for Pacific doctors and other health workers is now assured thanks to a significant donation to Pacific Dermatology by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS). This will allow Dermatology training at the Pacific Dermatology Training Centre (PDTC) located at Fiji’s National Skin Clinic, at Tamavua Twomey Hospital, […]
First dermatologists graduated in 2024
The first Masters of Medicine in Dermatology (Fiji National University) students at the Pacific Dermatology Training Centre graduated in December 2024 and a further 4 students are on track to complete the Masters in December 2026. In 2017, when we registered Australian charity Pacific Dermatology, there were only three dermatologists living and practising in the […]
2023 and beyond – more Dermatology specialists for the Pacific
In 2022, four doctors undertook the second year of the Master of Medicine in Dermatology. The education program continues in 2023, with the support of local and remote specialist Dermatology educators. In 2022, four doctors undertook the second year of the Master of Medicine in Dermatology and a fifth doctor from Fiji completed the Diploma […]
Progress – more specialist skin doctors for the Pacific
Since opening the Pacific Dermatology Training Centre in 2019, a number of Pacific doctors have completed their Diploma in Dermatology and some are now undertaking the Masters of Medicine in Dermatology. The Pacific Dermatology Training Centre was opened in 2019 by Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services, the Honorable Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete. In 2019, […]
Introducing our teaching programme coordinator!
Our first teaching programme coordinator Dr Janice Yeon was the first Programme Coordinator for our Pacific Dermatology Training Programme in 2019. During the COVID19 pandemic, Dr Yeon helped adapt the Training Centre’s Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology teaching programme to a largely online and videoconferencing format which continues today. Dr Yeon was also involved in the […]
First skin clinic for Samoa
When Dr Va‘a-Fuimaono returned to Samoa, with her Postgraduate Diploma of Dermatology, she started the first skin clinic for Samoans at the main hospital in Apia, Samoa. Dr Helena Va’a-Fuimaono has worked at the main hospital in Apia, Samoa – Tupua Tamasese Meaole – since graduating from the Fiji School of Medicine. In 2019, she […]
Enhancing skin health in Kiribati
Dr Temea Kibae Bauro was born and raised in Makin, the northern island of Central Kiribati. In 2019, he was among the first four students to graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology from Fiji National University. Dr Temea Kibae Bauro was born and raised in Makin, the northern island of Central Kiribati. Makin is […]
Expanding treatment of psoriasis in Fiji
PJ Twomey Hospital was the site of celebration with three nurses and a pharmacist trained to be the first practitioners to use donated specialised equipment from Australia. PJ Twomey Hospital was the site of celebration in August with three nurses and a pharmacist receiving Certificates of Proficiency, allowing them to be the first practitioners to use donated specialised equipment from […]