THE Swire Group has donated $25.9 million to UNSW Sydney’s Kirby Institute to support cervical cancer screening and treatment for over 130,000 women in seven Pacific countries.
This marks the university’s largest philanthropic gift , enabling collaborations in Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
Cervical cancer rates in the Pacific are some of the highest worldwide, with Pacific women up to 14 times more likely to die from the disease than Australian women, according to the World Health Organization.
The donation will fund self-collection cervical screening technology, allowing results within an hour—transforming access for women in remote areas.
Leaders like Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and project lead Professor Andrew Vallely highlight the potential to save lives and eliminate cervical cancer across the region.
The program builds on previous successes in Papua New Guinea and complements other regional initiatives.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs praised the collaboration, underscoring the importance of sustainable, locally led health solutions to ensure a future free from cervical cancer. Professor Anthony Kelleher said the Kirby Institute was grateful for the donation.
