CAPRI Leads Research on Climate Resilience of Pacific Islands Countries’ Health Systems
November 28, 2024, Auckland, New Zealand – The Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI), a Taiwan-based international think tank, launched its report “Sustainability and Resilience in Pacific Island Health Systems” today at the Pasifika Medical Association Group Headquarters, Auckland, New Zealand. The launch, which was also livestreamed, was held in collaboration with the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation USA Foundation (CAPRI USA) and Te Poutoko Ora A Kiwa (Centre for Pacific and Global Health, University of Auckland).
The event brought together regional leaders, policymakers, and health experts, including Malcolm Turnbull, Former Prime Minister of Australia; Joanne Ou, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand; Siale ‘Akau’ola, the Tongan Minister of Health; and Syaru Shirley Lin, founder and Chair of CAPRI and member of the global steering committee of PHSSR.
The Honorable Malcolm Turnbull, who also chairs CAPRI’s International Advisory Council, underscored the importance of resilience in his keynote remarks: “The report is a testament to the power of partnership between local governments, NGOs, international organizations, and the private sector. The message is clear: resilience must be integrated into all components of the health system, from the beginning to the end.”
The report was led by Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Director of Te Poutoko Ora A Kiwa and CAPRI Senior Fellow, with Dr. Roannie Ng Shiu; The Honorable Siale ‘Akau‘ola, current Minister of Health of Tonga; Emi Chutaro, Executive Director of Pacific Island Health Officers Association; and Caroline Fried, CAPRI’s Director of Research. The report calls for more regional collaboration, increased investment in workforce development, and the thoughtful leveraging of digital health technologies to strengthen the health systems of the Pacific Island countries and territories, especially the Marshall Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Dr. Basil Leodoro, Chief Surgeon of Vanuatu, and Dr. Eileen Natuzzi, Health Diplomacy Affiliate at Georgetown University, also spoke about the challenges and opportunities for improving health access and outcomes in some of the most isolated parts of the Pacific.
Prof. Syaru Shirley Lin emphasized “Health, economic, and environmental challenges must be tackled together. Perhaps no region understands these connections better than the Pacific Island countries and territories…That is why CAPRI partnered with Sir Collin at the University of Auckland and his collaborators from throughout the Pacific region to develop a project that would bring the experiences and lessons from this region to the global stage.”
Sir Ashley Bloomfield, former Director-General of Health for New Zealand and Chair of Te Poutoko Ora A Kiwa, provided closing remarks. “The report is a timely reminder of the need to and value of connecting and learning from each other…It’s an opportunity for us to connect, to develop, and strengthen the relationships that underpin teamwork and success.”
In a dinner organized by CAPRI preceding the launch, Representative Joanne Ou praised CAPRI’s role in fostering international dialogue and innovation: “CAPRI is doing international, collaborative research that is connecting Taiwan with the world and strengthening the resilience of the whole region.”
The report was produced as part of the global Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience, a nonprofit global initiative involving the WHO Foundation, the World Economic Forum, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and leading organizations in over 30 countries; CAPRI serves as its Asia-Pacific hub. CAPRI has also conducted studies on the health systems of Taiwan, South Korea, and Malaysia with PHSSR.
