News
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15,000 ivermectin tablets donated to Fiji
Today, WSP donated 15,000 ivermectin 3mg tablets to Twomey Hospital in Fiji to support national scabies control efforts.
The donation was made possible through collaboration between our teams in Solomon Islands and Fiji and will help ensure medicine is available where it is needed!
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Healthy skin, bright eyes - take your dose!
Kiribati has reached a significant milestone this week by launching the second round national integrated Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program to address both scabies and trachoma—two preventable and treatable diseases that affect communities throughout the country.
This is a very exciting partnership between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services-Kiribati, the World Scabies Program, and The Fred Hollows Foundation. We are also proud to be supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's.
When the health workers come to your community make sure you take your medications. By participating in this integrated MDA, you are protecting families, preventing disease, and securing a healthier future for Kiribati. If you missed the health workers in your village, you can speak with your local health centre about receiving your dose.We’d like to thank everyone involved in the MDA including the nurses and health workers and most importantly the people of Kiribati for participating!
Healthy skin, bright eyes - take your dose!
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Integrated scabies and trachoma MDA training in Kiribati
Over the last two weeks, WSP Kiribati, together with partners The Fred Hollows Foundation and Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services, have trained 158 healthcare workers and volunteers on the upcoming integrated scabies and trachoma mass drug administration (MDA) in Kiribati. The training provides MDA teams with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out the community treatment campaign effectively.Our WSP colleagues from Solomon Islands, Oliver and Johnina, travelled to Kiribati to support the MDA training, lending their extensive expertise in NTD control and MDA implementation.The teams will begin rolling out the MDA in South Tarawa on Tuesday 26 May, followed by the Outer Islands. When healthcare workers come to your community, make sure you take the medications offered to help stop the spread of scabies and trachoma in Kiribati! -
Happy International Nurses Day!
Today is International Nurses Day. Nurses are integral to the work of WSP, from implementing mass drug administration programs to carrying out scabies prevalence surveys. We would like to thank all the nurses who have taken part in scabies control activities across our programs!
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Kiribati 2026 MDA Preparation
Following the success of the 2025 campaign, Kiribati MHMS, supported by World Scabies Program and The Fred Hollows Foundation, are now preparing for a second national integrated mass drug administration (MDA) for scabies and trachoma.Last year marked a major milestone as the first nationally integrated MDA for scabies and trachoma in the world, and the first MDA for scabies in Kiribati. Building on this achievement, preparations for the 2026 rollout are well underway, with a focus on strengthening delivery and coverage.As in 2025, regional collaboration remains central to the program. Experienced personnel from Solomon Islands will again support training and planning in Kiribati, sharing their extensive expertise in neglected tropical disease (NTD) control. This ongoing partnership highlights the strength of collaboration between Pacific partners in advancing NTD control.Our team in Kiribati is in full swing preparing for the MDA! -
International Women's Day - Melaia Liku
This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to recognise the women of the World Scabies Program team. Melaia Liku is the National Scabies Coordinator in Fiji and leads on the scabies control program including managing the Scabies Joint Transition Committee.
Melaia is a public health professional with over 10 years of experience managing community health and humanitarian projects in Fiji. She holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology and Chemistry, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, and a Master of Business Administration. As a public health practitioner, Melaia works closely with national partners, communities, and stakeholders to strengthen health systems and improve community wellbeing through practical, community-centred approaches.
Join us in recognising Melaia’s passion and commitment to the people of Fiji! -
International Women's Day - Rose Kamoa
The World Scabies Program is marking International Women’s Day by celebrating Rose Kamoa, a MDA Officer in Kiribati. Rose's background includes working on public health programs with the Health Promotion Unit at the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services. During her time at UNICEF, she worked as a Health System Strengthening Officer where she contributed to improving service delivery and health outcomes in the Outer Islands in Kiribati.
Rose started with the World Scabies Program in March 2025 and has been vital to the success of the program in Kiribati. Rose’s current role supports the implementation of mass drug administration activities and prevalence surveys including assisting with training, data collection, supervision of activities, including travelling to the Outer Islands.
Let’s celebrate Rose’s meaningful impact across Kiribati!
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International Women's Day - Johnina Huniehu
It’s International Women’s Day and the World Scabies Program are marking the day by acknowledging the strong women in our team. Today we are highlighting Johnina Huniehu who has worked with us for over 4 years in Solomon Islands. Johnina has supported the program by providing mass drug administration (MDA) training, field supervision of MDA and survey operations.
Johnina has also provided technical support to the World Scabies Program team in Kiribati by contributing to training activities, supervising the MDA and supporting the recent prevalence survey.
Johnina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and is committed to strengthening community health systems and promoting effective, evidence-based approaches to scabies control across the Pacific. Please joining us in celebrating Johnina!
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International Women's Day - Miiri Tong
As we approach International Women’s Day, the World Scabies Program is celebrating the wonderful women who are driving scabies control across the Pacific Region.
Today we are recognising Miiri Tong. Miiri is the Country Coordinator in Kiribati and oversees the national scabies program. Miiri started with the World Scabies Program in 2025 and was key to the success of the recent mass drug administration for scabies and trachoma.
Miiri is a dedicated nurse with extensive experience across the Ministry of Health. Since beginning her career in 1998, she has earned qualifications in nursing, midwifery, and eye care, including a Bachelor of Nursing Science and a Postgraduate Certificate in Eye Care.
Today, we celebrate Miiri's dedication to making a lasting impact on communities across Kiribati.
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World NTD Day Event in Fiji
The World Scabies Program (WSP) proudly supported the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services to host this year's World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day. Scabies became an NTD in 2017 due to its high global burden. The Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa delivered the keynote address discussing the NTD Day theme: “Unite. Act. Eliminate" and showcased Fiji's incredible work to prevent scabies across the country.
We'd like to thank all our partners including Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for supporting Fiji’s journey toward a scabies-free future.
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