Dr Bolevakarua Receives Australian Funding for Pathology Training in Canberra Hospital

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has been awarded funding from the Australian Government to host a Fijian pathology trainee at a specialist laboratory in Australia.

Through the Australia Awards Fellowship, this fully funded position has enabled Dr Rosalind Bolevakarua, a senior medical officer for the Pathology Department at the Labasa Hospital in Fiji, to be selected for the training.

Dr Bolevakarua, who arrived in Australia to commence her training last month, will receive 10 weeks of anatomical pathology and haematology training at Canberra Hospital.

Dr Bolevakarua was selected in consultation with the RCPA and Fiji’s Ministry of Health, where she is employed. She completed her postgraduate Diploma in Pathology from Fiji National University (FNU) last year and she is aiming to undertake further training to attain a Master’s in Pathology.

World Class Training 

RCPA President, Dr Lawrie Bott, said: “Dr Bolevakarua’s placement in an Australian pathology laboratory will provide her with world-class immersive training and the opportunity to experience a real working laboratory environment. High-quality pathology services are fundamental to any healthcare system. This relies on having trained pathologists, which are essential for accurate patient diagnosis. Many countries only have a few local pathologists; therefore, we believe it is essential to provide opportunities to train in our laboratories so these skills can be taken back to these countries.”

Dr Bolevakarua is one of six overseas pathology trainees who will be hosted at laboratories across Australia as part of the fellowship to receive training in Australia’s pathology laboratories. Dr Bolevakarua is the first of the six trainees to commence her training in Australia. The other five trainees, from Kiribati, Tonga and Vietnam, will commence their training early next year.

“The RCPA is delighted to receive this funding, which will allow us to share our expertise with overseas trainees and provide advanced training in diagnosis and treatment protocols. After spending time working in Australian pathology laboratories, Trainees will be able to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in their home countries and share their experience with colleagues. Such information sharing and training programs are vital to improving global health and ensuring best patient care for all. The RCPA is also extremely grateful to the hosting pathology laboratories in Australia for supporting this programme,” said Dr Bott.

The RCPA is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Australia Awards Fellowship, having previously received funding in 2016 and 2017 to host Fijian pathology trainees in Australia.

The RCPA has undertaken pathology training and education at the Fiji National University (FNU) for many years. RCPA and FNU engagement encourages and promotes academic cooperation and exchange between the two institutions.

Source: Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia