Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu of Tonga met leaders, staff and key partners at UNSW Sydney this week, in a visit aimed at strengthening partnerships to advance cervical cancer elimination in the Pacific.
The visit was co-hosted by UNSW, The University of Sydney - one of several long-standing partners in the Advancing Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Pacific program (AdvanCE) - and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers if detected and treated early, yet it continues to be a significant public health problem and cause of premature death among women in the Pacific.
L to R: Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu of Tonga, Professor Attila Brungs, Michael Kirby AC CMG. Image credit: DFAT
Strengthening partnerships to eliminate cervical cancer
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the visit was a powerful endorsement of the University’s partnership with Pacific nations in advancing women’s health.
“It is a great honour to welcome Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu of Tonga to UNSW Sydney,” Prof. Brungs said.
“Her Majesty’s support underscores the importance of eliminating cervical cancer in the Pacific, where the impact is deeply felt across families and communities. At UNSW, we are committed to working alongside Pacific nations, researchers, and health leaders to deliver solutions that ensure equitable access to prevention, treatment and care. Together, we are working to make cervical cancer a disease of the past.”
The Acting Tonga High Commissioner, Mr Curtis Leonard Tuihalangingie, said the visit reflected Tonga’s strong commitment to improving women’s health.
“Cervical cancer remains a serious challenge for our region, and through partnerships with institutions such as the Kirby Institute, we can build the capacity, knowledge and resources needed to move towards its elimination.”
Professor Andrew Vallely, the program co-lead addressed the Royal delegation, highlighting the key collaborations that make this work possible. Image credit: DFAT
Royal endorsement
The Queen of Tonga learned about the impact of the AdvanCE program, which was spearheaded by the Kirby Institute’s Professor Andrew Vallely and Project Manager Vanessa Price.
“Rates of cervical cancer in the Pacific are among the highest in the world, according to the World Health Organization, with Pacific women up to 14 times more likely to die from cervical cancer than women in Australia,” Ms Price said.
“Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a common virus spread through sexual contact. Most women with HPV infection or early cervical disease do not experience symptoms so early detection through screening is crucial.”
Vanessa Price, co-lead of the AdvanCE program, chaired the visit. Image credit: DFAT
A shared vision for the Pacific
Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Chief Medical Officer for the Ministry of Health in Tonga and lead for the cervical screening program Dr Falahola Fuka addressed the delegation at UNSW.
"Today, I want to talk about hope, resilience and progress, and about the incredible steps our nation has taken to tackle this disease and pave the way for health in the future. This journey towards eliminating cervical cancer began with a vision, that every Tongan woman, regardless of where she lives, should have access to life saving, vaccination prevention, and treatment," Dr Falahola said.
The program aims to screen at least 70% of age-eligible women in Tonga aged between 30 and 64. With same-day test and treat strategies implemented through this program, there is the potential to prevent up to 600 cervical cancers in women.
Dr Falahola thanked the Kirby Institute and the Swire Group for their invaluable partnership.
“Your collaboration has provided the expertise and support necessary to bring this cutting edge, healthcare innovations to our shores,” she said.
“This is a testament to the shared vision of building a healthier Pacific region. As we embark on this ambitious journey, the path forward is built on the strength of our community, the dedication of our healthcare workers, and the unwavering spirit of collaboration."
Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Chief Medical Officer for the Ministry of Health in Tonga and lead for the cervical screening program Dr Falahola Fuka addressed the delegation at UNSW. Image credit: DFAT
Philanthropy driving progress in women’s health
The work is made possible thanks to the Swire Group’s record-breaking donation to UNSW’s Kirby Institute. Executive Director Mr Sam Swire said he was proud to be a part of the project.
“We know that every cent of our donation is being used to save and improve lives across the South Pacific,” he said. “I'm indebted to you, Your Majesty, for your unwavering support and to all involved on the ground and here at the Kirby Institute. We look forward to seeing it progress from strength to strength.”
Through the AdvanCE program, in-country leadership is supported by the Kirby Institute with key Australian and regional partners; including, the University of Sydney, Australian Centre for Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC), Family Planning Australia, and the Pacific Community (SPC).
The AdvanCE program is complemented by the Australian Government and Minderoo Foundation funded, Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC) program. Collectively, these initiatives support countries on their journey to implementing sustainable cervical cancer elimination strategies.
Her Majesty receiving a gift from Professor Attila Brungs. Image credit: DFAT