Led by experienced Paediatric Surgeon, Dr Philip Morreau, the team has a long-standing history of annual visits to Fiji prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions. 

Dr Morreau relays the team's high spirits in returning to Fiji. 

“We are pleased to be back in Fiji after an almost 3 and a half year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. We are grateful for the opportunity. 

“The strength of the Fijian services were evident during the pandemic when relative isolation highlighted the skills and ability within Country. Now that travel is again available, these relationships can be strengthened through personal and direct contact.”  

The visit falls under the NZMTS objectives of providing health services in alignment with strategic goals of partner countries and maximising opportunities for capability, and entails surgeries, on-going mentoring and guided case discussions.  

“The overall purpose remains that of training and service, and supporting a sustainable and resilient health service for the people of Fiji. Mentoring and role modelling is also very important to the team members as is training of specific workforce, all of whom contribute to successful patient outcomes.” 

The NZMTS, made possible through MFAT, has been in operation in the Pacific for over thirty years, providing life-saving opportunities through the Overseas Referral Scheme, visiting medical teams and initiatives in strengthening in-country capacity.  

PMA CEO, Debbie Sorensen, reiterates the importance of the services and support provided through NZMTS.  

“We are humbled to provide support to our colleagues in the region and to see the life changing impact these teams have. We are excited as the capacity and capability of health services in countries continue to grow.”

Team member and Fijian native, Dr Losalini Takabei, says there is a lot of value behind such visits. 

“It helps immensely to have a seasoned paediatric surgeon with us. Although we, as a local team, are very capable of doing the surgeries and getting the same outcomes for our patients, adding Phil and Dave to the teams means we extract the experience from Starship and Christchurch and deliver it locally. Fiji is blessed to have the type of commitment they have improving the health of our children”