Reflect Fiji Project 2026

24/09/2026

Back in the field, one house at a time. 🏠🌿

Today, the REFLECT Fiji team worked alongside our dedicated local team to begin scoping the 200 households selected to receive the cool-roof intervention.

This is an important step before the intervention begins. The team is visiting each selected home, confirming the house and roof characteristics, documenting the current conditions, and working closely with families to ensure everything is properly prepared for the cool-roof application.

Behind every number in our study is a family, a home, and a story.

These 200 houses are not just research sites. They are homes where families live, sleep, work, raise their children and experience the increasing heat that communities across Fiji are facing. Being welcomed into these homes is something we never take for granted.

There is a lot of walking, checking, measuring, recording and coordinating involved — and sometimes it means working under the very heat we are trying to understand and address.

But days like today remind us why the work matters.

Fijians by Fijians, working with communities to understand heat, test practical solutions, and build evidence for healthier and more climate-resilient homes. 🇫🇯☀️

Vinaka vakalevu to every household welcoming our team through their doors, and to our local partners and field team who continue to make this work possible.

One home at a time. One family at a time. One step closer to understanding how we can keep our communities safer and cooler in a changing climate. ❤️

23/09/2026

We finish off another long day in the field with our heads held high and our hearts full of gratitude. ❤️

To every family who opened their homes to us, welcomed us with a smile, shared your stories, and allowed our team to come into your homes — even at this very late hour — vinaka vakalevu. Your patience, kindness and trust mean more to us than we can put into words.

We know that inviting a research team into your home, answering questions, taking measurements and giving your time after a long day is not always easy. Yet, time and time again, you welcomed us.

Tonight, as we make our way back, tired but grateful, we carry with us more than just data and completed forms. We carry the stories, the laughter, the conversations and the warmth of every household that welcomed us.

This is why we do this work — not simply for research, but for people. For our communities. For a healthier and more resilient Fiji.

To our field team, vinaka vakalevu for pushing through the long hours and continuing to show up with commitment and humility.

And to every household that welcomed us tonight: vinaka vakalevu for trusting us with your home, your time and your stories.

We may be tired tonight, but we go home with our heads held high. 🇫🇯❤️

Another day done. Another step forward. And so much gratitude.

22/09/2026

Back in the field. Back with our communities. One household at a time. 🇫🇯🌡️🏠

22/09/2026

Back to the Field! 🌡️🏠🇫🇯

After three weeks in Suva, the REFLECT Fiji team is back on the ground in Tavua this week — and there is plenty to get done.

The break from field activities was anything but quiet. The team was in Suva supporting the coordination of the Pacific Island Health Research Symposium 2026, where REFLECT Fiji was proud to take home the Best Oral Presentation award under the Climate and Health and Planetary Health category.

And while our field team was away, our laboratory team kept things moving, supporting the HPV study team in collaboration with our sister research centre, the Center for Communicable Diseases Research (CDRC). Different teams, different studies, but the same commitment to strengthening health research in Fiji.

Now it’s back to Tavua and back to the work that matters.

This week, the team is continuing follow-up on pending HbA1c testing and participant activities across the 400 households recruited into the REFLECT Fiji trial.

We have also completed the household randomisation, with 200 houses selected for the cool-roof intervention. These households are now being informed as we prepare for the intervention rollout next month.

The next phase is taking shape — and after months of recruitment, baseline assessments and community engagement, we are now getting closer to seeing the cool-roof intervention come to life across Tavua.

Back in the field. Back with our communities. One household at a time. 🇫🇯🌡️🏠

Fijians by Fijians, working together to understand heat, health and climate adaptation.

🫡👏🙏

09/09/2026

🌿 Welcome to the REFLECT Fiji Team, Mere Usatani! 🌿

We are pleased to welcome Mere Usatani from Nubu, Macuata, to the REFLECT Fiji team as a Research Assistant.

Mere graduated with a Bachelor of Public Health from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Fiji National University in 2023. Since 2024, she has been part of the Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research (FIPHR), contributing to two major research projects under the Centre for Communicable Diseases Research (CDRC) — the nationwide COVID-19 Serosurvey in 2024 and the Arboviral Serosurvey in the Central Division in 2025.

With years of hands-on fieldwork experience, Mere brings with her valuable knowledge, practical skills and experience working with communities across Fiji.

We are excited to have you join us, Mere! Welcome to REFLECT Fiji — we look forward to having you as part of the team and to the contribution you will make to the project. 🌱☀️🇫🇯

09/09/2026

Today, we are proud to introduce Mr Noa Ravunibaka, a young Fijian health professional from Yalava Village, Macuata, whose journey is a wonderful reminder of what determination, opportunity and hard work can achieve.

Noa graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Fiji National University. Shortly after graduating, he joined the REFLECT Fiji Trial Project as a Research Assistant, based in Tavua.

From working in the field and engaging with communities to supporting participant recruitment, data collection and research activities, Noa has embraced every opportunity to learn and contribute.

And then came a very special moment.

🏆 At the Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium (PIHRS) 2026, Noa was awarded the BEST ORAL PRESENTATION for his research presentation.

Perhaps what makes it even more special is that this is only the beginning.

Noa represents a new generation of Fijian researchers — young professionals who are not only working in health services, but are stepping forward to generate evidence, ask important questions and contribute to solving the health challenges facing our communities.

We are incredibly proud of you, Noa. ❤️

Congratulations, Noa! 🏆👏🏽🇫🇯

The REFLECT Fiji team is proud to have you with us.

From a young graduate to an emerging researcher. And this is only the beginning. 🌱🔬🇫🇯

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VERY OWN REFLECT FIJI PROJECT TEAM! 🎉👏

A huge congratulations to Mr Taniela Raileqe, Mr Noa Ravunibaka, and Ms Reapi Seru for representing the REFLECT Fiji Project at the 2026 Pacific Island Health Research Symposium (PIHRS) and winning Best Oral Presentation under the theme “Climate, Emergency, Environment and Planetary Health.” 🌏🌡️

Your hard work, dedication, and confidence in presenting our research have made the entire REFLECT Fiji team incredibly proud.

A special vinaka vakalevu to Taniela, Noa, and Reapi for your outstanding effort and for showcasing the work of our project team on such an important platform.

This achievement belongs to the whole team. Well done! 🏆👏🇫🇯

REFLECT Fiji — shining a light on climate, heat and health. 🌏

Ràvunny Bàkà NoàhDan NB Raileqe Reapi SeruMere Usatani SauwakiSalote UluinabouChloe RavunisaAditini KijiAisake MalupoLavo TuilauFiji Institute of Pacific Health ResearchMinistry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji

25/08/2026

Appreciation to the REFLECT Fiji Team 🙌🏽

A big vinaka vakalevu to our dedicated REFLECT Fiji team for continuing the HbA1c testing today, ensuring that our participants are not left behind and that every follow-up is completed with care. Your commitment, patience, and hard work in the field—despite the challenges—continue to make this project possible. ❤️

Vinaka vakalevu, team! Your dedication truly matters. 💪🏽🇫🇯