AGP Executive Report

Kiribati Health & Safety: New Zealand and Kiribati Police carried out a joint operation to safely dispose of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items in Betio, moving UXO from Bonnyman’s Bunker to an isolated sandbar; six heavy shells had to be detonated in the bunker, with around 7,000 residents evacuated, and medical personnel were deployed during the operation. Regional Care Access: Tongan patients are traveling to Fiji for specialist heart treatment not available at home, including angiography and stents at Pacific Specialist Healthcare in Nadi, with the Tongan Ministry of Health covering eligible airfares, accommodation and medical costs. Medical Tourism Watch: Fiji is positioning itself as a growing hub for Pacific medical tourism, with PSH Hospitals reporting large volumes of cardiac procedures and drawing patients from Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa and others. Family Separation Policy: A new review revisits the long-running PALM visa issue, focusing on enforced family separation and how promised changes for long-stay workers have yet to fully land. Climate & Health Context: Pacific coverage highlights how climate change is unraveling Indigenous culture and rights, with “super reefs” research offering some hope for reef resilience in places including Kiribati.

PALM family separation review: A new analysis revisits Australia’s PALM visa rules, arguing that enforced family separation—especially for long-stay workers—has been unconscionable and should be a choice for families, not government policy. Cardiac care access in the region: Three Tongan patients are receiving specialist heart treatment in Fiji, including angiography and stents, after local doctors referred them for care not available at home. Fiji medical tourism for heart patients: Fiji’s PSH Hospitals says it is drawing patients from across the Pacific, including Kiribati, for advanced cardiac procedures like cath lab work, angiography and stenting. Kiribati child heart surgeries in Fiji: Six children from Fiji, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands received free heart surgery in Fiji, with families urging parents to seek screening and early treatment. Betio UXO disposal and health support: New Zealand and Kiribati teams safely disposed of about 300 WWII unexploded ordnance items in Betio, including evacuations for detonations, with medical personnel deployed during the operation. Health system gap spotlight: A policy brief notes PALM welfare support is extensive on paper but poorly understood and not well connected in practice, raising concerns for worker safety and support.

Medical Travel: Three Tongan patients are in Fiji for specialist heart care after local doctors said treatment wasn’t available at home. They received procedures at Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) Hospitals in Nadi, including angiography and stent insertion, with the Tongan Ministry of Health covering travel and medical costs. Regional Health Access: Fiji is emerging as a Pacific medical tourism hub, with PSH Hospitals treating patients from across the region and offering advanced cardiac services close to Nadi International Airport. Child Health: Six children from Fiji, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands received free heart surgery in Fiji, including treatment for rheumatic heart disease and congenital defects, and are now recovering after about a week of care. Safety & Health: New Zealand and Kiribati teams helped make Betio safer by disposing of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items, including evacuating 7,000 residents when some shells had to be detonated inside a bunker.

Pacific Health Access: Kiribati children are returning home after free heart treatment in Fiji at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital, with families describing new hope after surgeries for defects and rheumatic heart disease. Cardiac Care Expansion: The same Fiji hospital says it will expand later this month to serve adults and adolescents, adding services like angiograms and scans to meet a growing cardiovascular burden. Regional Support & Safety: New Zealand and Kiribati teams carried out a major World War II unexploded ordnance disposal operation in Betio, moving about 300 items and evacuating thousands when some degraded shells had to be detonated inside a bunker. Pacific Diplomacy & Health Links: The U.S. announced new Pacific initiatives after Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau’s tour that included Kiribati, with disaster-recovery funding and plans that also touch health-related capacity in the region.

Pacific Health Access: Kiribati families are getting heart care through Fiji’s Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital, with children including a 2-month-old Kiribati baby and other young patients discharged after free treatment and surgery missions, while the hospital also plans to expand specialised cardiac services to adults and adolescents later this month. Community Safety & Health: New Zealand and Kiribati teams carried out a joint operation in Betio to safely dispose of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items, including evacuating around 7,000 residents when some degraded shells had to be detonated inside a bunker, and the partners will keep building local explosive ordnance disposal capacity. Regional Support for Health Systems: After the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, U.S. Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau announced new Pacific initiatives including disaster relief for recovery in Kiribati-linked regional travel and support measures that include improving aviation safety for medical access in Solomon Islands. Regional Medical Tourism: Fiji is also drawing patients from across the Pacific, including Kiribati, to PSH Hospitals near Nadi Airport for cardiac and specialist care, with the hospital reporting hundreds of open-heart and thousands of non-invasive procedures.

Card Care Access: Fiji’s PSH Hospitals (130-bed private specialty hospital near Nadi Airport) is drawing patients from across the Pacific, including Kiribati, for advanced cardiac and specialist services like cath-lab procedures and open-heart surgery. Free Heart Treatment for Kiribati Families: Children from Kiribati are returning home after free heart care in Fiji at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital, including 9-month-old Amota and 5-year-old Ruata, with families urging early screening for rheumatic heart disease. Hospital Expansion: The same Fiji hospital says it will extend cardiac services to adults and adolescents later this month, aiming to reduce the need for costly overseas travel. Safety & Health Protection: New Zealand and Kiribati teams helped dispose of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items in Betio, with medical personnel on standby during evacuations. Climate Resilience for Health: Pacific communities are being urged to prepare for El Niño impacts—shifting rainfall, drought risk, and added pressure on safe drinking water, food, and children’s health.

Card Care in the Region: Fiji’s PSH Hospitals (near Nadi Airport) is drawing patients from Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and others for advanced cardiac procedures, including open-heart surgery and catheter “cath lab” services. Free Heart Treatment Returns Home: Kiribati children are back after free heart care in Fiji, including a 2-month-old and a 9-month-old who received life-saving surgeries, with families preparing for recovery and homecoming. Hospital Expands Beyond Kids: Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital in Fiji is extending cardiac services to adults and adolescents, aiming to reduce the need for costly overseas travel and improve access to scans and angiograms. Pacific Medical Tourism Push: The same Fiji cardiac expansion story highlights growing regional demand and faster travel times for island patients. Safety After WWII UXO: New Zealand and Kiribati teams disposed of about 300 WWII unexploded ordnance items in Betio, with medical staff on site and evacuations for residents during detonations. Climate Resilience for Health: Scientists report “super reefs” that may better withstand heat, including work involving Kiribati—important for long-term ocean health that supports livelihoods and wellbeing.

Super Reefs for Coral Survival: New research suggests nearly one-third of the world’s coral reefs are climate-resilient, offering hope for protecting reefs across the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu as heat-driven bleaching continues. Heart Care Access for Kiribati Children: Free cardiac treatment at Fiji’s Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital is bringing children home after surgery, including Kiribati babies and young kids treated for conditions like rheumatic heart disease—families say early screening and prompt care are key. Hospital Expands Cardiac Services: The same Fiji hospital plans to extend specialised heart services beyond children to adults and adolescents, aiming to reduce the need for costly overseas travel. Safe Disposal of WWII Explosives in Betio: New Zealand and Kiribati teams safely moved and disposed of about 300 unexploded ordnance items in Betio, with medical staff on standby and evacuations when some degraded shells had to be detonated in place. Tuna for Food Security: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and SPC launch “Tuna Bites’” to promote tuna as a key protein source for Pacific diets, including in Kiribati. El Niño Water and Health Warnings: ChildFund New Zealand warns that a strong El Niño could disrupt rainfall patterns, raising pressure on drinking water, food supplies and children’s health—especially where fuel shortages already strain services.

Climate & Health: New research highlights “super reefs” — nearly one-third of coral reefs worldwide appear more heat-resilient than previously thought, offering hope for places like Kiribati as warming seas drive mass bleaching. Cardiac Care (Kiribati families): Free heart treatment is bringing children back to Kiribati after surgeries in Fiji, including babies and young children treated for rheumatic heart disease and other defects; families say early screening and prompt care can change outcomes. Cardiac Care (Pacific access): Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital in Fiji is expanding beyond children to serve adults and adolescents, aiming to reduce travel burdens and improve access to specialised heart diagnostics and treatment. Safe Communities (UXO): New Zealand and Kiribati teams helped dispose of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items in Betio, with medical staff on site and evacuations for residents during detonations. Food Security & Nutrition: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and SPC launch “Tuna Bites’” to promote tuna as a key protein source across Pacific diets, including in Kiribati. Regional Health Context: Pacific leaders’ meeting in Palau underscored a “complex strategic environment,” while health-related cooperation was also discussed, including support for hospitals and drinking-water sampling in the region.

Cardiac Care in the Pacific: Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital in Fiji is expanding free specialised heart services across the region, with recent missions treating children from Kiribati and other island countries and early screening reaching schools, clinics and rural outreach. Life-Saving Surgeries for Kiribati Children: Two Kiribati children—9-month-old Amota and 5-year-old Ruata—received life-saving heart surgeries during a “Gift of Life” mission, and families say they’re now preparing to return home with improved health. More Cardiac Access Ahead: The same hospital plans to extend services to adults and adolescents later this month, aiming to reduce the burden of heart disease and travel costs for families. Safe UXO Disposal in Betio: New Zealand and Kiribati teams helped make residents safer after disposing of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items in Betio, with evacuations for degraded munitions and plans to build local EOD expertise. Nuclear Victims at the UN: Kiribati is linked to a UN meeting focused on victims’ experiences and environmental remediation from nuclear weapons testing, keeping humanitarian impacts in global discussions.

Cardiac Care in the Pacific: Kiribati children are returning home after free heart treatment in Fiji, including a 2-month-old and a 5-year-old who received life-saving surgery at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital, with families urging early screening and parents to take breathing and energy changes seriously. Hospital Expansion: The same Fiji-based heart hospital says it will expand services to adults and adolescents later this month, adding angiograms and scans to help reduce the need for costly overseas travel. UXO Safety for Betio: Residents in South Tarawa are safer after a Kiribati–New Zealand operation disposed of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items in Betio, with evacuations for degraded shells and plans to keep building local explosive ordnance disposal skills. Climate and Health Risk: Pacific communities facing fuel shortages are being warned to prepare for a strong El Niño, with pressure on drinking water, food supplies and children’s health expected to worsen. Regional Health Support via Diplomacy: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, the US announced support for hospitals and drinking-water sampling facilities in Palau, while Kiribati’s participation drew attention amid wider political tensions.

Cardiac Care in the Pacific: Kiribati children are returning home after free heart treatment in Fiji, including a 9-month-old and a 5-year-old who received life-saving surgery at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital, with mothers urging early screening and follow-up care. Hospital Expansion: The same Fiji-based heart hospital is expanding beyond children to serve adults and adolescents, aiming to reduce the need for families to travel overseas for cardiac tests and treatment. War Safety and Health Protection: New Zealand and Kiribati Police carried out a Betio operation to safely dispose of about 300 WWII unexploded ordnance items, including evacuations of 7,000 residents when degraded shells had to be detonated inside the bunker. Regional Health Support Links: India–Kiribati cooperation highlights health access, including a visit to Kiribati’s dialysis centre and plans to expand healthcare collaboration. Climate and Health Risk: Pacific communities facing fuel stress are also being warned to prepare for El Niño impacts that could strain drinking water, food supplies, and children’s health.

War-time UXO Safety: New Zealand troops and Kiribati Police carried out a joint operation in Betio to safely dispose of about 300 World War II unexploded ordnance items, moving them from Bonnyman’s Bunker to an isolated sandbar; six 8-inch shells had to be detonated in the bunker, forcing evacuation of around 7,000 residents, while sandbags and the bunker design helped contain blast effects. Cardiac Care Access: Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital in Fiji is expanding free specialised heart services across the Pacific, with school and community screening helping detect rheumatic heart disease early; recent missions included Kiribati children receiving life-saving surgery and returning home after treatment. Heart Hospital Expands to Adults: The Fiji hospital says it will extend cardiac services to adolescents and adults later this month, aiming to reduce the need for families to travel for angiograms and scans. Regional Health-Related Capacity: India–Kiribati talks also highlighted health cooperation, including support linked to dialysis units, as part of broader people-focused partnership.

Gift of Life Heart Surgeries: Six children, including two from Kiribati, received free heart surgery at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital in Fiji, with families urging parents to seek early screening after diagnoses like rheumatic heart disease. Cardiac Care Expansion: The Fiji hospital is expanding specialised cardiac services across the Pacific and is set to extend care to adults and adolescents, aiming to reduce the need for families to travel overseas for treatment. Kiribati Families Return Home: Two Kiribati children—an infant and a 5-year-old—were discharged after successful operations, with mothers describing relief after weeks of uncertainty and surgery recovery. Water, Food and Child Health Risk: Pacific communities, including Kiribati, are being warned to prepare for El Niño after fuel crisis pressures, with drought and heavy rain both threatening safe drinking water, food supplies and children’s health. Regional Health Workforce Focus: At the Pacific Islands Forum, smaller island leaders highlighted health workforce support alongside transport, fisheries and procurement, pushing for practical regional mechanisms to strengthen services. Nuclear Victims’ Remediation: UN discussions led by Kazakhstan and Kiribati stressed that nuclear weapons’ harms span generations, centring victims’ lived experiences and environmental cleanup.

Gift of Life heart surgeries: Six children from Fiji, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands received free heart operations at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Heart Hospital in Fiji, including 2-month-old Takabo Mikaere (Kiribati) and 1-year-old Serah Duri, with families urging parents to seek early screening after rheumatic heart disease diagnoses. Local follow-up care: Two Kiribati children—9-month-old Nikutapui Amota and 5-year-old Martin Ruata—were discharged after life-saving surgery, with mothers describing improved breathing, feeding and energy as they prepare to return home. Cardiac services expand across the Pacific: The Fiji-based hospital says it has completed over 56,000 heart screenings and is extending specialised cardiac care beyond children, with plans to add services for adults and adolescents later this month. Health risk from climate shocks: Pacific communities facing fuel shortages are also being warned to prepare for El Niño, which could disrupt safe drinking water, food supplies and children’s health—especially in places like Kiribati where water safety is already fragile. Health system support in Kiribati: India’s High Commissioner visited Kiribati’s dialysis centre and discussed expanding healthcare cooperation, including support linked to the FIPIC initiative.

Heart care in the Pacific: Two children from Kiribati have returned home after about a week in Fiji for free treatment at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital, including surgery for a baby born with a heart defect and treatment for a 5-year-old diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease—families say the care has brought new hope and plans are underway for recovery at home. Cardiac services expanding: The same Fiji hospital says it has expanded across the Pacific through school and community screening, with tens of thousands of heart checks completed, and it is set to extend specialised cardiac services to adults and adolescents later this month to reduce the need for costly overseas travel. Water and child health risk: Pacific communities, including Kiribati, are being urged to prepare for El Niño impacts that can disrupt safe drinking water, food supplies and children’s health—especially where fuel and climate pressures already strain basic services. Health workforce focus in regional talks: At the Pacific Islands Forum Smaller Island States meeting, leaders—including Kiribati’s president—agreed to prioritise health workforce support alongside transport, fisheries and climate finance access. Kiribati health diplomacy: India–Kiribati cooperation highlights health links, including a visit to a Kiribati dialysis centre as part of broader partnership work.