On the Ground in Fiji: Strengthening Pacific Partnerships
SOS CEO Tracey Scanlan and Partnerships Manager Rebecca Hamilton were thrilled to represent SOS in Nadi in September at the Fiji Medical Association 2025 Annual Scientific Conference as exhibitors.
We were proud to be invited to showcase the transformational nature of our work, and the quality of viable medical supplies we redirect from Australia to support improved health outcomes for individuals and communities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Fo SOS, highlights of the Conference included a powerful keynote address from the Hon. Sashi Kiran, Minister for Women, Children & Social Protection and meeting Dr Jioji Malani, dialysis expert and gastroenterologist, and for all intents and purposes, a living legend of Fiji’s heath sector. Dr Jioji is retired from practice but still tirelessly advocates for affordable dialysis services for the hundreds of patients requiring urgent care for a second chance at life.
The Minister emphasised the importance of holistic programs, collaboration, and compassion in building a healthier, safer, and more inclusive Fiji. SOS went on to meet with the Minister separately, to discuss opportunities to collaborate on her priorities for marginalised populations in Fiji, and how SOS can support the Fiji Government’s strong commitment to advancing the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities through the Fiji National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Whilst in Fiji, the SOS team also visited the Paediatric Physiotherapy Department of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva to deliver a dozen sets of Ponseti braces, used for early treatment of infants born with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a birth condition that makes one or both of a baby's feet point down and turn in. Surgery used to be the main treatment for clubfoot, but orthopaedic surgeons now prefer to use a method involving casting, followed by extended treatment in specialised braces, which are in very short supply in Fiji.
This donation was made possible via the partnership between SOS and the Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) in Brisbane. Many thanks to the physiotherapy team at QCH and Renae McBrien whose generous support directly translates into life-changing care. Medical supplies collected by SOS from hospitals around Queensland are sent across the Pacific by air or sea freight, so it’s always wonderful to have the opportunity to personally deliver a gift direct to the end users, hence the big smiles in the photo op!
The team also excitedly hand delivered unique ‘patient puppets’ which winged their way from the Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service all the way to Suva to help children undergoing treatment understand their medical conditions. Patient Puppets are specially designed to be interactive and playful, and can help specialists, recreational therapists, nurses, doctors, social workers and counsellors care for and educate children who are experiencing medical treatment. Initially developed and designed in conjunction with the Child Life Department of Winnipeg's Children's Hospital, Manitoba, Canada, these unique patient care dolls will now bring comfort, information, reassurance and hopefully laughter and smiles to young cancer patients at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, and via the team at Wows Kids Fiji, a charity that works specifically on all child cancer related matters in the country.
A small gesture, with a big impact – reminding us that even in the hardest moments, joy and play can still belong. Watch this beautiful video journal of the puppets’ journey here on the SOS YouTube Channel.
