Training Workshop on the Diagnosis of Asbestos-related Diseases (ARD’s) – Suva, Fiji 2-3 December 2019

An ADRI team led by E/Prof Ken Takahashi, ADRI Director, returned this week from conducting a training workshop on the diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases in Suva, Fiji from the 2-3 December 2019. The workshop was hosted by the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University on the Pasifika Campus.  The workshop was delivered by the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) in association with the World Health Organization (WHO), Country Office of Fiji.

The two-day workshop provided the unique opportunity for members of the ADRI team to convene with representatives from varying backgrounds and disciplines including pathology, radiology, medicine, public health, nursing and the Ministry of Health to share expertise aimed to advance the Fijian capacity to detect, diagnose and treat cases of asbestos-related disease, with particular emphasis on mesothelioma.

Eight ADRI team representatives; Director Ken Takahashi, Dr Yuen Yee Cheng, Dr Kenneth Lee, Dr Steven Kao, Dr Ben Johnson, Ms Jocelyn McLean, Ms Diana Arachi and Ms Victoria Keena presented a series of informative presentations relating to the epidemiology, molecular biology, research practice, biobanking, pathological diagnosis, clinical treatment, patient care and victim support.

The main purpose of these presentations was to improve the diagnosis and management of ARDs and to promote the implementation of the roadmap for Fiji on the elimination of asbestos and ARD.The workshop was positive in terms of building relationships, expanding ADRI’s valuable networks with international collaborators, which will no doubt be long-standing.