One of Fiji’s well known surgeons, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has been appointed to lead the Postgraduate Surgery programme at the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
Dr Waqainabete, former president of the Fiji Medical Association, said he was honoured to be given the responsibility.
Being a former student, he was privileged to join the institution as an academic.
“This is a new chapter in my professional life as I get to join my wife and many other colleagues from my student days at the old Fiji School of Medicine,” he said.
“I will be one of the many cogs in the wheel of CMNHS to help nurture the future champions of Health in the Pacific,” he added.
Dr Waqa said the review of programmes and curriculum is part and parcel of any academic institution.
The program underwent a review last year by the senior surgeons in FNU, Ministry of Health and experts from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Pacific Islands Surgeons Association president, Lord (Dr) Viliame Tangi from Tonga said he was happy with the new surgical curriculum developed in November. Dr Tangi is a fellow of Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS).
“I think it was an excellent work and product,” he said.
Dr Tangi said surgeons from the region trained under the College and then Fiji School of Medicine have contributed significantly to the region.
The College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science Acting Dean, Professor Rajat Gyaneshwar said the re-written surgery programme would deliver quality surgeons.
He said he was particularly pleased with the curriculum development process.
“It was further reassuring that senior surgeons from the region have been actively involved in the review process. We expect things to stabilise this year,” he said.
Top surgeons from the region including Lord Viliame Tangi from Tonga and Dr Kiki Maoate from New Zealand were part of the review team.
MEDIA RELEASE