Donors making a difference: Protecting Fiji from climate threats, one test at a time

“This is an opportunity to bring to Fiji the latest in terms of food and water microbiology testing,” Shafraaz Khan shares before departing for a 6-week training attachment at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Australia.

Khan, a technical officer, and his colleague Simione Naikarua, a molecular laboratory scientist, from the Fiji Centre for Disease Control (CDC) journeyed to Australia earlier this year to deepen their knowledge of microbiological testing of food and water.

^{Learning about reading food culture plates with Ridhi Apte.  Credit: Doherty Institute / Dr Abraham Gut} 

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms – tiny living things like bacteria, viruses, and fungi – that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Some microbes can make humans sick, especially when digested through unclean or contaminated food and water sources.

Food and water testing is critical for protecting public health as timely detection prevents and controls the spread of foodborne and waterborne illnesses. Some of the common illnesses detected by food and water testing include typhoid, diarrheal illnesses and leptospirosis.

^{A water sample examined on a media plate after filtrating.  Credit: Doherty Institute / Riddih Apte} 

Investments in Fiji’s water and food testing are part of the Strengthening Health Adaptation Project: Responding to Climate Change in Fiji (SHAPE Project). This multi-year US$ 5.5 million project is generously funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by the WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support in collaboration with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Beyond capacity building, such as the training Shafraaz and Simione received, the SHAPE Project is also refurbishing and upgrading the Suva CDC laboratory, including providing additional lab equipment and consumables that expands the lab’s testing capacity.

What is the link to climate change?

Climate change has a major impact on water and food safety in the Pacific.

As Simione explains, “In Fiji we see the impact of climate change on water quality in very real and immediate ways. During severe weather events like cyclones and heavy floods, sewage systems can overflow and contaminate our safe water sources. We also face runoff from agriculture and urban areas which further compromises water quality.”

Severe weather events increase the risk of water contamination and infections. Limited infrastructure and access to treated water is already a challenge in more remote communities, often on outer islands.

Water testing is done routinely – especially in anticipation of water contamination after severe weather events – to investigate outbreaks of waterborne diseases. If a sample tests positive, this is relayed to the field health officers who are responsible for improving the water safety in the community.

Lab capacity must therefore meet the growing need to deal with rising severity and frequency of climate threats and impacts – a key motivation behind Fiji expanding its lab capacity.

From bench to breakthrough – building capacity for the future

Improvements in lab infrastructure, equipment and training will fortify Fiji’s response to climate-sensitive diseases. This investment increases the number of microorganisms that can be tested for, boosts the number of tests that can be processed – up to 3000 food or water samples per year for bacteria, chemicals, and climate-sensitive diseases like leptospirosis, and results in faster testing times. Ultimately, enhancing response to climate change and health threats.

Accelerating the processing time by 77% means outbreaks can be detected earlier, allowing faster responses and fewer people getting sick.

^{Learning bacterial morphology on different culture plates with Dr Abraham Gut. Credit: Doherty Institute / Riddih Apte}

Returning from their training, Shafraaz and Simione are already applying and imparting their knowledge and skills with colleagues, in preparation for the arrival of advanced testing technology and equipment through the SHAPE Project.

Simione shared, “The training gave me the tools and confidence to lead with impact. It’s not just about new techniques – it’s about future-proofing our systems to better protect public health.”

Capitalizing on the combined power of people and technology – with strengthened skills, upgraded labs, and a renewed sense of purpose – Fiji is better equipped than ever to safeguard public health in the face of a rapidly-changing climate. Similarly, Shafraaz recounts how the training received through the SHAPE Project "was more than just skill-building” but has reshaped how he approaches challenges in the field.

^{Transferring bacterial cultures to  enhancement broths for food testing.  Credit: Doherty Institute / Riddih Apte}