A heartfelt thank you to Dr Berlin Kafoa

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Global Health team would like to express its congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Dr Berlin Kafoa, who will be taking on a new role at Pacific Community (SPC) as Director of the Public Health Division.

RACS Global Health Pacific Islands Program (PIP) partners with SPC and has been working with Dr Kafoa and his experienced clinical services team for many years to support the delivery of clinical activities and education across the region.

SPC is an international development organisation that supports the wellbeing of the Pacific community through the effective and innovative application of science and knowledge, guided by a deep understanding of Pacific Island contexts and cultures across a range of key areas such as health, education and climate change.

Dr Kafoa’s support to RACS Global Health PIP has been invaluable in guiding the focus of RACS’ assistance and facilitating linkages and relationships with Pacific Island clinicians, Ministry of Health partners and Pacific clinical networks.

Dr Kafoa, reflecting on his work with RACS Global Health PIP, said, “PIP has made a huge difference in the training and delivery of clinical services over the past 20 years, and will continue to do so in the next 20 years through its unique approach of building long term relationships and mentoring of clinicians, nurses and biomedical teams. PIP is, by far, the best health program (delivered by an Australian Institution) in the Pacific Islands that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has supported.”

RACS Global Health welcomes the appointment of Dr Salina Motofaga as the interim Clinical Services Program Leader at SPC.