The Royal visit highlighted regional collaboration, led by the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney and the University of Sydney, to eliminate cervical cancer in Pacific nations.
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 and the University of Sydney, which are long-standing partners in the Advancing Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Pacific program ( AdvanCE ), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
If it's detected and treated early, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable cancers. Yet it continues to be a significant public health burden, and a leading cause of premature death among women in the Pacific.
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 to Australia, 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 UNSW Kirby Institute, we can build the capacity, knowledge and resources needed to move towards its elimination."
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."
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 cervical cancer detection program aims to screen at least 70% of women in Tonga aged between 30 and 64, offering them same-day tests and timely treatment strategies. A major donation by the Swire Group in 2024 to the Kirby Institute at UNSW will enable hundreds of thousands of women across the Pacific to be screened for this preventable but deadly disease.
Dr Falahola thanked the Kirby Institute at UNSW and the Swire Group for their invaluable partnership.
"Your collaboration has provided the expertise and support necessary to bring this cutting edge, healthcare innovation 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."
Senior Program Manager at the Kirby Institute, Vanessa Price, speaking at UNSW Sydney. Photo: Josh Goding
Head of the Asia and Pacific Health Program at the Kirby Institute, Professor Andrew Vallely. Photo: Josh Goding
Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu of Tonga speaking to guests at UNSW Sydney. Photo: Josh Goding
Philanthropy driving progress in women's health
The Swire Group's Executive Director, Sam Swire, said he was honoured to support 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 UNSW's 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 also supported by the Australian government and Minderoo Foundation-funded Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer ( EPICC ) program. Collectively, these initiatives support countries to implement sustainable cervical cancer elimination strategies.
