For too many women in Fiji, cervical cancer is detected only when symptoms have become severe and treatment options are limited. Fiji based Health Plus Diagnostics is working to change that reality.

With new Pap smear processing equipment, purchased with support from a Business Link Pacific Growth Grant, early cervical cancer detection is now more accessible and affordable for Fijian women.

Health Plus Diagnostics have years of clinical experience and a deep understanding of Fiji’s healthcare challenges. Cervical cancer remains a significant health threat, yet a critical barrier prevented timely intervention. Women in Fiji rarely undergo Pap smear testing. There was also a tragic pattern that most women only seek diagnostic testing after severe symptoms have already developed, meaning the cancer is often detected at an advanced, high-risk stage.

The underlying issues behind these low testing rates are deeply structural, driven by limited specialized equipment and immense public system strain. Because local Pap smear processing machinery is exceptionally scarce across Fiji, the public sector remains heavily overburdened. While private facilities like Health Plus are fully capable of facilitating sample collection, the absence of local processing infrastructure forces them to outsource and ship specimens to Australia. This logistically complex process pushes the baseline cost to over $200 per test, a steep price point that remains completely out of reach for the average Fijian woman. Ultimately, without accessible and affordable testing, there are no results, leaving countless women dangerously unaware of their health status.

Health Plus Diagnostics recognized that the key to changing this narrative lies in early detection, specifically by identifying Human Papillomavirus (HPV) statuses. When women are aware of their HPV status early on, they are empowered to willingly seek treatment, opening up medical options long before the illness escalates to a high-risk stage.

To turn this vision into a reality, Health Plus mapped out a clear, sustainable strategy focused on localizing technology, aggressive cost-cutting, and affordable pricing. By bringing a dedicated Pap smear processing machine directly into their own laboratory, they can process all patient samples locally. This approach effectively eliminates the steep logistics expenses and high fees associated with shipping medical tests overseas. Ultimately, Health Plus plans to pass these substantial structural savings directly onto the public, offering the vital screening service at a highly affordable rate so that cost is no longer a barrier to saving lives.

While the plans were firmly in place, the massive capital required to purchase the specialized machinery posed a significant financial hurdle. For a local business, saving enough capital through standard operations to fund such an acquisition would have taken years.

The turning point came when Health Plus spotted an advertisement for the Business Link Pacific (BLP) Growth Grant on the Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) marketing page. Recognizing it as the perfect opportunity, they submitted a comprehensive application detailing their project’s immense social and medical merit.

The grant was approved, providing a critical 20% financial co-contribution toward the project, a timely financial injection that effectively bridged the funding gap and allowed the Health Plus team to successfully purchase and install the equipment. Reflecting on this achievement during a face-to-face follow-up meeting, the Health Plus team expressed their gratitude to the BAF team, stating,

“We were very grateful that we managed to secure a machine earlier than we expected and get this project initiated,” said Dr. Shelvin Sukul is the Director of Radiology Services and Head Sonographer at HealthPlus Diagnostics.

Thanks to the BLP Growth Grant and BAF’s outreach, Health Plus Diagnostics has officially launched this life-saving initiative, establishing a reliable, affordable, and locally managed cervical cancer screening service.

Identifying a critical gap in local diagnostic services and taking bold steps to close it, Health Plus Diagnostics are helping transform cervical cancer screening from an expensive, delayed service into a practical pathway for prevention, early treatment, and better health outcomes for the women of Fiji.

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To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.

The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.