Pacific Leaders
Medical Director
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Dr John Szetu
Medical DirectorRegional Eye Centre, HoniaraDr John Szetu
Medical DirectorDr John Szetu has been with The Foundation since it started delivering programmes in the Pacific in 2001. He currently holds the position of Medical Director, based at the Regional Eye Centre in the Solomon Islands, where he works as an Ophthalmologist.
Among his myriad other achievements, Dr Szetu (with the support of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ) established the Pacific Eye Institute in 2006, a training centre for Pacific eye health workers now located in Suva, Fiji. At around the same time, he formed the Pacific Eye Care Society (PacEYES) to represent the interests of eye care professionals working in the Pacific Islands region. Dr Szetu also held the position of IAPB Western Pacific Region Co-Chair for the Pacific Islands Sub–Region from 2009–2012.
Dr Szetu had long recognised the importance of training Pacific eye health workers to deliver eye care in their own communities and has always advocated strongly for formalising ophthalmic training, both of doctors and nurses in the Pacific. He realised that more of both cadres were badly needed to cater for the particular needs of the small but scattered populations across the islands. He has an impressive track record in designing and implementing training courses for eye care nurses and supervising registrars in the Pacific. His successful programmes in training and clinical service in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands are held in high regard throughout the Pacific eye health sector.
The growth of the Pacific Eye Institute reflects the respect that Dr Szetu commands amongst his colleagues from the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia. He has been able to inspire others to provide increasingly high-quality eye health care and leadership for their own communities. Dr Szetu is highly respected by the global eye health community and has inspired others to join the fight against avoidable blindness.
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Located at:
Regional Eye Centre, Honiara -
From:
Solomon Islands
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Fiji
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Dr Mundi Qoqonokana
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Chief Consultant OphthalmologistPacific Eye Institute, SuvaDr Mundi Qoqonokana
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Chief Consultant OphthalmologistDr Qalo works at the Pacific Eye Institute as the Chief Consultant Ophthalmologist. He has responsibilities for the Mobile Eye Clinic and is also the Pacific Eye Institute Clinical Team Leader.
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Qualifications:
Master of Ophthalmology (2009) -
Located at:
Pacific Eye Institute, Suva -
From:
Solomon Islands
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Dr Telaite Biu
Lead, Diabetes Eye CarePacific Eye Institute, SuvaDr Telaite Biu
Lead, Diabetes Eye CareDr Telaite Biu is the lead ophthalmologist for diabetes eye care. Diabetes is the third most common cause of visual impairment in Fiji, and Dr Biu and her team provide diabetes eye screening and treatment in central Fiji and train eye care professionals from around the Pacific in diabetes eye care.
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Located at:
Pacific Eye Institute, Suva -
From:
Fiji
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Kirti Prasad
Fiji Country ManagerPacific Eye Institute, SuvaKirti Prasad
Fiji Country ManagerKirti Prasad is the Country Manager for Fiji. She has over 20 year’s experience working in eye health and brings to the team an enormous wealth of knowledge, skills, and commitment. Kirti has held several key roles supporting important components of our work, including the Mobile Eye Clinic (MEC), the Pacific Eye Institute, and local and regional outreach programmes.
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Qualifications:
Master of Management (2011), Postgraduate Certificate in Health Service Management (2016), Master of Public Health (2021) -
Located at:
Pacific Eye Institute, Suva -
From:
Fiji
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Dr Vara Naviri
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Assistant Professor in OphthalmologyFiji National University, SuvaDr Vara Naviri
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Assistant Professor in OphthalmologyDr Naviri is an Assistant Professor working with Fiji National University. She has a Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology and is currently completing her sub-speciality in Vitreo-retinal surgery via the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO).
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Qualifications:
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology -
Located at:
Fiji National University, Suva -
From:
Fiji -
Currently studying:
Sub-speciality in Vitreo-retinal surgery
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Amelia Rokobiau
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Workforce Support ManagerPacific Eye Institute, SuvaAmelia Rokobiau
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Workforce Support ManagerAmelia is a nurse by profession who looks after the workforce of trained eye care graduates in the Pacific and PNG.
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Qualifications:
Masters in Community Eye Care (2017), Postgraduate Diploma in Eye Care (2012) -
Located at:
Pacific Eye Institute, Suva -
From:
Fiji
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Ashreeta Lingam
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ LecturerFiji National University, SuvaAshreeta Lingam
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ LecturerMs. Lingam is a Lecturer working with Fiji National University. She teaches the postgraduate nurses programme at Pacific Eye Institute which graduates up to ten eye care nurses per year from around the Pacific.
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Qualifications:
Postgraduate Diploma in Eye Care (2013), Postgraduate Certificate in Diabetic Eye Care (2015), Master of Community Eye Care (2015), Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching (2019) -
Located at:
Fiji National University, Suva -
From:
Fiji
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Sereima Vatuvatu
Pacific Clinical Quality Assurance AdvisorPacific Eye Institute, SuvaSereima Vatuvatu
Pacific Clinical Quality Assurance AdvisorA trained nurse, Sereima brings to Team Fred a distinguished career in healthcare, including 26 years with the Fiji Ministry of Health, along with a passion for supporting and helping others. Sereima works with the Foundation-supported clinics and eye care specialists across the Pacific Region to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe and patient-centred eye care for Pacific communities.
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Qualifications:
Bachelor of Nursing (2011) -
Located at:
Pacific Eye Institute, Suva -
From:
Fiji
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Kiribati
Papua New Guinea
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Dr David Pahau
Head of Department, OphthalmologyMadang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic, MadangDr David Pahau
Head of Department, OphthalmologyDr Pahau is the Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Madang Provincial Hospital. He also leads the Fred Hollows Foundation Papua New Guinea outreach team to perform free eye surgeries across the country.
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Located at:
Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic, Madang -
From:
Papua New Guinea
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Agnes Mor
General ManagerMadang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic, MadangAgnes Mor
General ManagerMs Mor is the General Manager at the Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic in Papua New Guinea. She has been with the Foundation for over 10 years helping to end avoidable blindness in Papua New Guinea.
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Located at:
Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic, Madang -
From:
Papua New Guinea
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Lorraine Ivakia
Acting Charge Nurse ManagerMadang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic, MadangLorraine Ivakia
Acting Charge Nurse Manager-
Located at:
Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic, Madang -
From:
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Theresa Gende
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Education ManagerDivine Word UniversityTheresa Gende
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Education ManagerMs Gende is the Education Manager for the nurses training programme at Divine Word University in Papua New Guinea. She's also the Vice President of the National Prevention of Blindness Committee and the Secretary of the Papua New Guinea Ophthalmic Clinicians Association.
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Qualifications:
Postgraduate Diploma in Eye Care (2012), Postgraduate Certificate in Diabetic Eye Care (2015), Master of Community Eye Care (2015) -
Located at:
Divine Word University -
From:
Papua New Guinea
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Samoa
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Dr Lucilla Ah-Ching Sefo
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Head of Department, OphthalmologyTupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital Eye Clinic, ApiaDr Lucilla Ah-Ching Sefo
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Head of Department, OphthalmologyGraduating from the Pacific Eye Institute in 2016 with a Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology, Dr Ah-Ching Sefo is the only permanent ophthalmologist in Samoa.
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Qualifications:
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology (2016) -
Located at:
Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital Eye Clinic, Apia -
From:
Samoa
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Solomon Islands
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Dr Carole Poloso
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ OphthalmologistRegional Eye Centre, HoniaraDr Carole Poloso
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ OphthalmologistDr Carole Poloso trained at the Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji before returning home to Solomon Islands to practise as a qualified Ophthalmologist at the Regional Eye Centre.
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Qualifications:
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology (2019) -
Located at:
Regional Eye Centre, Honiara -
From:
Solomon Islands
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Konio Szetu
Clinical Nurse Advisor & Senior OT NurseRegional Eye Centre, HoniaraKonio Szetu
Clinical Nurse Advisor & Senior OT NurseKonio is the Clinical Nurse Advisor and Senior OT Nurse at the Regional Eye Centre in Honiara, Solomon Islands. As a Senior Eye Care Nurse, Konio is responsible for the care of patients in the Eye Clinic, Ward and Operating Theatre. She also supports the management and clinical staff by advising on improvements to processes and procedures within the centre.
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Located at:
Regional Eye Centre, Honiara -
From:
Papua New Guinea
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Tonga
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Dr Duke Mataka
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Head of Department, OphthalmologyVaiola Hospital Eye Clinic, Nuku'alofaDr Duke Mataka
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Head of Department, OphthalmologyDr Duke Mataka graduated with his Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology from the Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji in 2018. He is currently the only permanent ophthalmologist in Tonga, and travels around the country to provide eye care services on national outreaches.
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Qualifications:
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology (2018) -
Located at:
Vaiola Hospital Eye Clinic, Nuku'alofa -
From:
Tonga
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Vanuatu
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Dr Johnson Kasso
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Consultant OphthalmologistDr Johnson Kasso
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Consultant OphthalmologistDr Johnson Kasso graduated with his Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology from the Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji in 2018. He is the only permanent ophthalmologist in Vanuatu, and travels around the country to provide eye care services on national outreaches.
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Qualifications:
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology (2018) -
Located at:
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From:
Vanuatu
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Dr Andronico Ly
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Senior Consultant OphthalmologistPort Vila Clinic, VanuatuDr Andronico Ly
Trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ Senior Consultant OphthalmologistDr Andronico Ly graduated with his Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology from Fiji National University, which partners with the Pacific Eye Institute, in 2019.
Prior to joining the team at the Port Vila Clinic in Vanuatu, Dr Ly was the Head of the Department for Ophthalmology in Timor Leste.
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Qualifications:
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology (2019) -
Located at:
Port Vila Clinic, Vanuatu -
From:
Timor Leste
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