Fiji International Medical Camps began in 2006 and have been held annually ever since with teams of health-professionals and other volunteers from New Zealand, Australia and occasionally from other countries, assisted by volunteers from Fiji. The camps bring free medical services and health education to Fijian communities who, through isolation, lack of resources, or lack of knowledge were unable to access these services. This report provides an overview of the latest camp held over 23 – 29 August 2025 which progressively provided services through six different locations supported by a large team of professionals and volunteers.
UPSM Medical Student Seminar – Saturday, 23rd August 2025
The camps were preceded by a Seminar for Medical Students held at UPSM. The interactive sessions were well received by more than 300 medical students who attended. A wide range of clinically relevant and practical topics were covered by international and local experts.
Medical Camps
Camp 1: Votualevu Public School
This first camp was on a Sunday in a relatively remote school in Nadi. Despite it being Sunday when public transport was very limited, 380 patients were seen. Patients presented with diverse conditions, including an unfortunate single 26-year-old lady caring for her parents and suffering from an imperforate rectum. She was referred for a multidisciplinary team meeting (MDM) to determine the best combined Colorectal-Gynaecology surgical approach for further management.
Camp 2: Tuva Primary School, Sigatoka
The camp site was about two hours by road. Patients were already waiting in anticipation from 6 a.m. Several malignancies, including colon, likely early breast, and overt cervical cancers, were diagnosed. Patients were very grateful for the comprehensive multidisciplinary medical care provided to the needy. Several acute and subacute medical cases were diagnosed and referred appropriately to Main hospital for treatment. Gastro patients were booked for endoscopies on the last day of camps at the new Viseisei Sai Specialist Centre. A total of 358 patients were seen, and 33 referrals were made for follow-up.
Camp 3: Veisaru Sanatan School, Ba
This was a very well-organized venue with a helpful Headmaster and staff. Patients from remote villages were grateful for the comprehensive services provided. Doctors identified several complex chronic medical conditions and developed thorough management plans for follow-up by local SDMOs. Integrating paramedical services like Dietary support allowed for a more holistic approach, addressing prevention, treatment and rehabilitation effectively. This enhances patient care quality and satisfaction in resource-limited settings. A total of 305 patients were seen and 33 referrals were made.
Camp 4: Ra High School, Nalawa, Ra
This was the remotest location of the camps, and the team faced severe challenges due to torrential rainfall before departure. However, in a remarkable turn of events, while most of the country experienced heavy rain, the camp area remained unaffected. Local health officials supported the effort and even sent one of their pharmacists to assist with additional medications. Our pharmacy team worked closely with the local pharmacist and we donated four boxes of medications and supplies for the people of Ra. Most volunteers felt serving the needy in this remote area was a deeply fulfilling experience. A total of 251 patients were seen and 12 referrals made.
Camp 5: Toko Sanatan Primary School, Tavua
Almost 100 patients were already waiting from the early hours of the morning before the first vehicle arrived at this venue. Once again, complex medical and surgical cases were treated across all departments. The local school committee managers, president, and headmaster were very appreciative and requested that the team provide similar services annually. Our two large buses became stuck in the wet school grounds, and it was a joyful sight to see local farmers use tractors to pull the buses free through teamwork. A total of 351 patients were seen and 32 referrals made.
Camp 6: Sri Sathya Sai Specialist Centre, Viseisei, Lautoka
The long-awaited Sri Sathya Sai Specialist Centre was the venue of the final medical camp. This last camp marked the first day of use for the newly constructed facility. Nearly 20 patients received endoscopies, many of whom were booked during the preceding five days of camps. This was the busiest camp of the week, where 613 patients were treated and 43 referrals made by our Team.
Summary
A total of 94 health professionals and volunteers participated in these camps from overseas, including participants from New Zealand, Australia, USA, and Canada. An additional more than 20 local health professionals and volunteers joined daily over the six days of camps. Furthermore, about 45 medical and nursing students from UPSM participated to enhance their learning experience. Medical specialties represented included Family Physicians/GPs, Internal Medicine Specialists, Cardiologists, Gastroenterologist, Infectious Disease Physicians, Stroke Physicians & Geriatricians, Psychiatrists, Paediatricians, Orthopaedic Surgeon, General and Paediatric Surgeons, Gynaecologists, and Dental Teams. Allied health professionals included Pharmacists, Dietitians, Optometrists, and Physiotherapists.
Diagnostic services provided included basic blood tests (such as blood glucose, lipids, FBC, renal function), ECG, ECHO, ultrasound, and endoscopy.
In total, 2,258 patients were registered and treated over the six days of medical camps.
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