On November 28, 2024, CAPRI, CAPRI USA, and Te Poutoko Ora A Kiwa (Center for Pacific and Global Health) at University of Auckland co-launched “Sustainability and Resilience in Pacific Island Health Systems” in Auckland, New Zealand.

This research is part of a series of reports on the Asia-Pacific region produced for the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR), an international initiative committed to collaborating across sectors and borders to build more resilient and more sustainable health systems for the future. PHSSR member organizations include the London School of Economics, the WHO Foundation, the World Economic Forum, AstraZeneca, KPMG, Philips, CAPRI and additional organizations at the regional and national levels.

In the opening keynote, Malcolm Turnbull, chair of CAPRI’s International Advisory Council and former Prime Minister of Australia,  called the report “a testament to the power of partnership between local governments, NGOs, international organizations, and the private sector.” He also underscored the importance of resilience: “Resilience must be integrated into all components of the health system, from the beginning to the end.”

Prof. Syaru Shirley Lin emphasized the connections among health, economic, and environmental resilience. “Perhaps no region understands these connections better than the Pacific Island countries and territories…That is why CAPRI partnered with Sir Collin and his collaborators from throughout the Pacific region to develop a project that would bring the experiences and lessons from this region to the global stage.”

The panel discussion led by Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Director of Te Poutoko Ora A Kiwa and CAPRI Senior Fellow, explored challenges of workforce, financing, and [third topic] with The Honorable Siale ‘Akau‘ola, Minister of Health of Tonga; Emi Chutaro, Executive Director of Pacific Island Health Officers Association; and Dr. Basil Leodoro, Chief Surgeon of Vanuatu. Dr. Eileen Natuzzi, Health Diplomacy Affiliate at Georgetown University, then presented the challenges and opportunities for improving health access and outcomes in some of the most isolated parts of the Pacific.

Sir Ashley Bloomfield, former Director-General of Health for New Zealand and Chair of Te Poutoko Ora A Kiwa, provided closing remarks. “The report is a timely reminder of the need to and value of connecting and learning from each other…It’s an opportunity for us to connect, to develop, and strengthen the relationships that underpin teamwork and success.”