PAP SMEARS IN PARADISE

 Thanks Kira for the title......

 We have launched the Reproductive Health project sponsored by the European Union for the next 2 years.  We are comprised of one physician, 2 nurses, 5 health educators.  We will be going into the rural villages and settlements to provide education, pap smears/health access in hopes of empowering women.  Education will consist of topics such as Body Parts, Cervical Cancer, Self-breast exams, Teenage Pregnancy, Contraception, STIs, HIV/AIDS, Menopause, etc etc.  We have Hindi language health educators and Fijian health educators.  The people of Fiji are very warm, friendly, receptive and appreciative.  We hopefully will empower women through education, decrease cervical cancer and promote wellness.   We are doing a research project on the Attitudes, Knowledge and Practice of Women in Fiji and Pap Smears. ( Great thesis for somebody!!!)  Cervical cancer continues to be the #1 Cancer death for women here and it is preventable.

 Ben is explaining male reproductive cycle....  I have talked sex more in two months than I have in my whole life!!!!!!

Jacopeci and Karoi are talking contraceptives....

 Cancer Society/Fiji is in partnership with us.  They provide this wonderful van donated by Aussie Aid.

       
 Traveling to VaiVai, an Indo-Figian settlement, in the mountains on a rainy day.......

The results of a pap smear in Fiji takes two months.  The slides are sent to Suva where there is one pathologist!

                                   
                               

Karoi and Dr. Rajat talking in Lomolomo.