Radio New Zealand showcases The Foundation in two-week series

Koro Vaka’uta from Radio NZ recently joined The Foundation in Suva, Fiji.

Koro visited The Foundation’s Pacific Eye Institute, witnessing first-hand the work that The Foundation achieves in training Pacific eye doctors and nurses. Koro also attended the annual PacEYES conference. PacEYES is an opportunity for eye doctors and nurses from around the Pacific to come together to discuss eye care. Many of the eye doctors and nurses who attend PacEYES have been trained at the Pacific Eye Institute.

See below for both written and audio stories that document Koro’s time with The Foundation in Suva, Fiji:

Influence of Fiji-based eye care facility spreads through the Pacific - The idea of having accessible Pacific-wide eye care is no longer a pipe dream and is creeping closer to reality thanks to the Pacific Eye Institute, with a multi-faceted approach to healthcare.

Queen’s Trust says Pacific eye care an example to follow - The head of a trust set up to eliminate avoidable blindness around the world says the Pacific is leading the way for everyone else to follow.

Eye care specialists discuss Pacific challenges - Eye care specialists from around the Pacific will discuss the various challenges they face at a meeting in Fiji this week.

Audio story: Doctor training to boost much needed eye care in Tonga - Tongan doctor, Antonio Taufaeteau, says some people are having to wait months to be assisted as there is only one eye care specialist in the country, but he hopes to change that soon.

Tongan dreams of easing pressure off country’s sole eye doctor - Tongan doctor, Antonio Taufaeteau, says he is studying to become an ophthalmologist because people on his island have to wait months for eye treatment.

Pacific eye specialists continue to serve communities despite strain - A small group of Pacific eye care specialists are determined to make a difference despite the challenge of a heavy workload, large areas to cover and often minimal resources at their disposal.

Audio story: Pacific beginning to see importance of eye care - Pacific eye care specialists are under strain, with a heavy workload, large areas to cover and often minimal resources.

Audio story: Eye care in the Pacific- RNZ Pacific journalist Koro Vaka'uta talks to Lynn about eye care around the Pacific.

Solve NCD problem, retain knowledge – Fiji Minister - Fiji's Health Minister says the fight against non-communicable diseases is a fight to retain generational and cultural knowledge.

Diabetic amputations 40 percent of all Fiji surgery - Diabetes related amputations in Fiji account for 40 per cent of all hospital operations, the Professor of Surgery at Fiji's National University says.