The inaugural Pacific Islands Dermatology Conference brought together experts from 26 countries and showcased a home-grown specialist training model that is transforming care across the island nations.
The inaugural Pacific Islands Dermatology Conference marked a significant milestone in the development of dermatological services and education across the Pacific region.
Bringing together 96 delegates from 26 countries across six continents and featuring 40 presenters, the meeting this month in Suva, Fiji, provided an unprecedented forum for clinicians, educators, trainees, researchers and policy leaders committed to improving skin health throughout the Pacific.
A consistent theme emerged across the scientific and clinical sessions: skin disease represents a substantial and growing public health burden in Pacific Island nations.
Geographic isolation, limited specialist services, workforce shortages and high rates of infectious and inflammatory skin disease continue to contribute significantly to morbidity.
However, the conference also highlighted a growing sense of optimism, demonstrating that sustainable, locally led solutions are beginning to address these challenges.
The scientific program was notable for both its breadth and depth, reflecting the diverse dermatological challenges facing Pacific populations.
Sessions ranged from regional public health priorities – including scabies control, leprosy, neglected tropical skin diseases, albinism programmes, HIV-associated dermatoses and teledermatology – to clinical topics such as melanoma, chronic venous disease, leg ulceration, psoriasis, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, adverse cutaneous drug reactions, acne and dermoscopy.
Dedicated clinicopathological and trainee case presentations showcased the growing academic maturity of the region’s dermatology workforce, while contributions from experts representing the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Australasia provided a truly international perspective.
Particularly valuable was the integration of public health, education, clinical medicine, pathology and digital health throughout the programme, creating a coherent narrative focused on improving skin health outcomes across Pacific Island nations.
Central to this progress is the Pacific Dermatology Training Centre (PDTC), established through a partnership between Fiji National University and Pacific Dermatology Ltd.
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Conceived in 2016 and opened in 2019, the PDTC was created to address the critical shortage of dermatologists throughout the Pacific region.
Its model focuses on developing a home-grown specialist workforce through postgraduate Diploma and Master of Medicine training programs, enabling doctors from Pacific nations to train and practise within their own communities.
Presentations throughout the conference showcased the impact already being achieved.
PDTC graduates are now contributing to clinical services, teaching and leadership roles across the region, while the Fiji National Skin Clinic continues to expand access to specialist care.
Importantly, the PDTC is moving from reliance on visiting experts towards increasing self-sufficiency, with graduates themselves becoming educators and mentors for future trainees.
This represents a sustainable approach to specialist workforce development that is particularly well suited to the unique needs of Pacific Island nations.
Associate Professor Stephen Shumack, OAM is the ILDS Treasurer and Dr Adrian Lim is president of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. They were both delegates, at the Inaugural Pacific Islands Dermatology Conference held in Suva, Fiji, in June 2026.
