Meet Sereima Vatuvatu, Team Fred’s Clinical Quality Assurance Advisor

This month we welcomed Sereima Vatuvatu as Team Fred’s Clinical Quality Assurance Advisor. She will help ensure clinics across the Pacific deliver quality, safe, patient-centred eye care services.

Sereima took some time to tell us about herself and what motivated her to join Team Fred.

What is your role at The Foundation? What does that involve?

As Clinical Quality Assurance Advisor, I design and encourage high-quality eye health outcomes and patient experiences. I work with Foundation-supported clinics and eye care specialists across the Pacific to put measures and processes in place which ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and patient-centred eye care for Pacific communities.

Where in Fiji are you from? What was it like to grow up there?

I am originally from a village called Waiqanake, one of the three coastal villages on the Muaivuso Peninsula. However, I grew up in Lami Village, about 6.2km via the Queens Road from Suva. I was raised in a religious family with protective parents. Being the eldest in the family taught me to be a responsible person, to help others, to care for the elderly and to enjoy doing what I’m assigned to do and ensure this is done to the best of my abilities. I still have precious memories of going to the plantation with my late grandmother or going fishing with her and enjoying eating boiled cassava and drinking its broth.

When I was 11, my dad was offered a position in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. We lived in Tonga for four years before returning to Fiji. Living in Tonga taught me to adapt to different life situations and to enjoy the positive side of things, turning negatives into positives. I faced new challenges and learned the Tongan language so I could interact with my friends in school and church. These positive life experiences have assisted in moulding me into who I am today.

What were you doing before you joined Team Fred?

I am a nurse by profession and was with the Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services for 26 years. For the past 4 ½ years, I was the National Manager Patient Safety & Quality overseeing all continuous quality improvement and patient safety and quality, including clinical risk management for all public health facilities across Fiji. Before that, I was Chief Executive Officer for the HIV/AIDS Board overseeing HIV response in Fiji.

What were you doing before you joined Team Fred?

I am a nurse by profession and was with the Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services for 26 years. For the past 4 ½ years, I was the National Manager Patient Safety & Quality overseeing all continuous quality improvement and patient safety and quality, including clinical risk management for all public health facilities across Fiji. Before that, I was Chief Executive Officer for the HIV/AIDS Board overseeing HIV response in Fiji. 

What motivated you to work for The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ?

One of the things I was taught in bible class which I will never forget was, “I’m OK if you’re OK.” Since then, I’ve always had a mindset of helping others first and self-second. Reading through The Foundation’s work and mission inspired me. I want to work for The Foundation to help others see as well so they can be OK. The Foundation is ensuring that “No One is Left Behind” by focusing on a group of people who need specialised health care: eye care. This is why I am motivated to be part of The Foundation. 

What do you like to do to for fun?

I love to read, sew and crochet. I also love to just to sit and sing with my husband and two children.

What makes you proud to be Fijian?

I am proud to be Fijian because it has made me what I am today. I continue to climb my ladder of success because of the Fijian culture and tradition I’ve been raised from and, most importantly, the spiritual upbringing I’ve had. Having an unselfish attitude, working together as a team, building relationships on trust, being truthful and non-judgmental…the real traits of a true and friendly Fijian.

What would you like to achieve during your time at The Foundation?

I am looking forward to supporting The Foundation by ensuring all eye care facilities across the Pacific have a workable clinical governance structure in place with the common goal to prevent blindness through a safe, quality clinical setting.

I hope to create a ripple effect in eye care where the best experiences shared become a motivator for a health provider or institution to provide safe, quality services, which will encourage more people to access eye care services.

How will improved eye care impact individuals and communities in Fiji?

Improved eye care brings hope to an individual. They can see everything around them. They can do things and become successful. They don’t need to wait for someone to assist them when they want to do something or go somewhere. They will be part of the community in all activities carried out.

If I can share a simple example of a personal experience. I started wearing spectacles a year ago because I was experiencing problems reading and working on my computer. The use of spectacles improved my eyesight so I was able to work again and see things clearly. I even enjoyed my meal because I was able to see clearly what I was eating. One morning I forgot my glasses and I was so frustrated. Without my glasses, I couldn’t read the documents that I was requested to review, I couldn’t even read my emails. I was helpless. I was so overjoyed when I was able to work with my glasses again and I could achieve my tasks for that day. This same experience I believe is also experienced by those who need improved eye care.

What would you like to say to our donors in New Zealand?

The bible says it’s more blessed to give than to receive. To all our donors in New Zealand, the blessing is yours since you have given to The Foundation with an open heart not expecting anything in return but just to ensure that more people can regain their sight. In return for your generosity, the staff of The Foundation are utilising your generous gifts to ensure quality and safe eye care is provided to all.

Without your continuous support The Foundation wouldn’t be able to achieve its mission. Most importantly, The Foundation would not be able to put a smile on a person’s face who wishes nothing else in the world but to retain their sight. This could be a mother, a father, a grandparent or even a child. It is my prayer that you and your beautiful families will continue to be blessed. Thank you so much.