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.

Strengthening country capacity has long been central to the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS), which has supported Pacific health systems for more than thirty years. This commitment continues today through the work of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group — including in Tonga, where the investment is evident in the growing capability of the Emergency Department at Vaiola Hospital

The Pasifika Medical Association (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).

After a seven-year hiatus, the Pacific Islands Surgeons Association (PISA) reunited in Suva recently for the ECO Care Equity in the Asia-Pacific Conference, marking a significant moment for the region’s surgical community and its shared commitment to strengthening surgical care across the Pacific.

The latest Uto Bulabula – Healthy Hearts initiative has successfully concluded, with all of the thirteen young patients from the Pacific region and Fiji returned home following their successful operations and discharge from the programme. Since its inception last year, the Uto Bulabula – Healthy Hearts initiative has grown from serving children from Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Fiji and Tuvalu, to now also include Tonga and the Solomon Islands. Through this shared commitment, dozens of young patients have been given access to specialist cardiac care that would otherwise be out of reach, with their families receiving wraparound support throughout the process.

Samoan Emergency Registrar, Dr Sebastian Paulo, recently attended the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM) Conference 2025, an experience made possible through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS) under its Strengthening Country Capacity component.

Fakaalofa lahi atu! I have whakapapa to Ngāti Kuri, Te Hikutū, Ngāpuhi, and the Niuean villages of Toi and Mutalau.

The Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMA) congratulates long-standing PMA Life Member, Dr Paula Vivili, on his appointment as the incoming Director-General of the Pacific Community (SPC), the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region.

A recent visit by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team led by Dr Christian Freudlsperger, and Prosthetics Visiting Medical Team, led by New Zealand-based maxillofacial prosthetist Mr Mike Williams, marked a significant milestone for Fiji’s healthcare services. Supported by the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS), the visit brought international expertise to Fiji’s hospitals, whilst building lasting skills among local clinicians and technicians.

Simione Vonovono Tagicakibau hails from Nukuloa, Gau, Lomaiviti with maternal links to Tarukua, Cicia, Lau. Tagicakibau carries a lot of pride in his heritage and shares with us some words in light of Fijian Language Week.

Na yacaqu o Evivi Cirikiwai, au cavutu mai na koro o Naqara, ena tikina o Ono, ena yasana vakaturaga o Kadavu. Au vakawati ki Navuloa, Bureta, Ovalau ena yasana vakaturga o Lomaiviti. E rua na luvei keirau kau veiqaravi tiko vakanasi. My language starts at home

My name is Maika Vulicakacaka, and I am the second eldest son of 4 siblings; my parents are Inoke Rabaleilekutu and Salanieta Marama Segai. My roots trace back to Laucala, Wailevu West, Cakaudrove, Vanua Levu on my father’s side, and Tiliva, Bua, Lomanikoro, Vanua Levu on my mother’s side.