Page 4 - IB OCT 2017

Our word

RESOURCES OPINION Islands Business
Time to go pink

THE scourge of cancer is a threat no Pa-
cific community can afford to take lightly.
Each year, thousands of Pacific island-
Managing Director / Publisher ers are cut down – many in the prime of
Netani Rika life – by an illness which could be eradi- Netani Rika
Group Editor-in-Chief cated if detected early and managed well. Publisher
Netani Rika In Fiji the Colonial War Memorial Hos-
pital will undergo developments to allow It is estimated that HPV vaccinations
the facility to handle an increased number – essential in the prevention of cervical
of cancer patients. cancer – would cost $USD $2.1 million for
Design consultant Ilaitia Turagabeci Instead of travelling overseas for treat- for 13-year-old girls for one year across all
ment, patients should now be able to Pacific Islands Forum countries.
Main Correspondents receive treatment in their home country This is an entirely affordable and
Fiji Priya Chand while being close to the support and care achievable programmes if obtained

through a regional bulk purchase ap-
of their loved ones.
Australia Nic Maclellan It also provides an alternative treatment proach and with the power of collective
Cook Islands Helen Greig facility for Pacific nations like Tonga, bargaining.
Kiribati, Tuvalu and Samoa. It is also an acceptable starting place
Kiribati Taberannang Korauaba
Fiji’s Health Ministry in conjunction from which to launch a regional assault on
French Polynesia Nic Maclellan with the Fiji Cancer Society and a num- a potential killer of women and destroyer
Marshall Islands Giff Johnson ber of business houses have launched a of families and economies.
campaign to screen at least 500 women Where the vaccine is readily available,
New Caledonia Nic Maclellan
this month and reduce the deaths caused research shows it has the potential to re-
New Zealand Jason Brown
by this killer. duce the global burden of cervical cancer
Niue Naea Michael Jackson At Fiji Airways, pilots will exchange by between 70 to 80 per cent.
Papua New Guinea Sam Vulum the gold bars on their uniforms for pink It is absolutely necessary in Melane-
stripes as they attempt to create aware- sia where the International Agency for
Patrick Matbob
ness, particularly on breast and cervical Research on Cancer says there are 33.3
Samoa Taina Kami-Enoka cancers. cervical cases per 100,000 females and a
Solomon Islands Priestly Habru In a number of Pacific countries, sports mortality rate of 20.7 cases per 100,000
Tonga Iliesa Tora clubs have taken on the task of raising females,
awareness about cancer and collecting This is unacceptable when the burden
Vanuatu Bob Makin
money to help fund treatment and screen- of disease impacts so significantly on
ing programmes. the economy yet prevention and screen-
Islands Business is published monthly by Throughout the Pacific, our women ing – while relatively easy to carry out
Front Page Limited have been valued for their vital roles in – is largely inaccessible because of poor
Editorial & Advertising Offices home and community life, as mothers, delivery.
117 Amy Street, wives, caregivers, transmitters of tradi- The time has come for Pacific men to
PO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands. tional knowledge and as decision makers. take a stand for their wives, mothers and
Tel: +679 330 3108 Fax: +679 330 1423
Losing them to a preventable killer in daughters.
Emails cervical cancer is not only grossly unjust, Men must stand on the front line
Editorial: editor@islandsbusiness.com but it has a material impact on our sus- and accompany the region’s women for
Subscriptions: subs@islandsbusiness.com tainable development. screening and testing.
Advertising: marketing@islandsbusiness.com Every woman lost has an immediate They must encourage and help dispel
impact on her family, the community to the stigma associated with cervical and
Printing:
Universal Printing Press, Lautoka which she contributes and the national breast cancer.
economy of which she is an integral part. If our women are to overcome the chal-
REVEALED NAURU’S POLITICAL DEALS P12 SOLOMON AIRLINE’S COMPLIMENTARY INFLIGHT MAGAZINE www.flysolomons.com Simply put, we cannot afford to lose lenge, the men of the Pacific must stand
Solomons
ISSUE 68
Delegates Directory women. and be counted.
July 2015 FJD $4.60
ILO puts Fiji
on notice
EMBARGO WARNING ILO gives
Fiji time on labour laws P13
Cool Kina
PNG BEYOND
ITS BORDERS
P24
The Games www.islandsbusiness.com
TOP DOLLARS
FOR WINNERS
P34
Melanesian brothers reject West Papua www.islandsbusiness.com Your region, your website
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in
•Australia AU$4.00•Cook Islands NZ$4.50•Federated States of Micronesia US$4.00•Fiji Islands F$4.60•French Polynesia CPF300•Hawaii US$4.50•Kiribati AU$4.00•Marshall Islands US$4.00•Nauru AU$4.00
•New Caledonia CPF300•New Zealand NZ$4.50•Niue NZ$4.00•Palau US$4.50•Papua New Guinea K5.00•Samoa T4.00•Solomon Islands SL$8.00•Tonga P4.00•Tuvalu AU$4.00•Vanuatu Vatu300•
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4 Islands Business, October 2017