Koror, Palau - The Medical Commission's involvement represents a sophisticated three-phase approach that has evolved from lessons learned during previous Pacific Games in Samoa and Solomon Islands. Dr. Ravea, who is participating in her second Pacific Games in this capacity, explains that the initiative was born from recognizing critical gaps in medical preparedness across the region. "What we came to do is provide support. Initially from Samoa, we tried to set a standard for medical readiness in any kind of games for the athletes. But more so we are focusing on medical readiness and coordination of resources wherever the games would be held," she said.

The first phase, known as scoping, involves comprehensive assessment of the host nation's existing medical infrastructure and identification of potential gaps. During this crucial stage, the ONOC Medical Commission works closely with local medical authorities to understand available resources and establish coordination mechanisms. The scoping phase for Palau began months before the Games, allowing sufficient time for planning and resource allocation.

Phase two focuses on upskilling and training local medical and emergency response personnel. In April, a team of six specialists conducted extensive training programs in Palau, delivering courses in Basic Life Support (BLS) to a diverse audience including fire services, police, and rangers. More significantly, they conducted Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS) training, a specialized program typically delivered by centers in Darwin but now facilitated by trained regional experts.

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"Most of our training is mainly creating scenarios that's specific to the region," Dr. Ravea explained. So most of it is like scenarios, like a building collapse, or, you know, a large bus accident, what are we going to do? Who's going to coordinate all of that?" This approach ensures that training remains relevant and practical for the specific challenges each host nation might face.

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The training methodology emphasizes collaboration rather than prescription. "It's not us telling them what to do. It's more using what they already have and just identifying gaps," Dr. Ravea noted. This philosophy has proven effective in building local capacity while respecting existing systems and protocols.

Currently operating in the midst of the Games, Dr. Ravea and Tuma are providing direct medical support across multiple venues. They are integrated into Palau's comprehensive medical coverage plan, which includes polyclinics operating from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, mobile clinics with dedicated medical officers, and on-site medical teams at each sporting venue. "EOC still runs most of it, there's one station at polyclinic, one station at the mini clinic, and there's a mobile team that goes around," Dr. Ravea explained.

One of the most valuable aspects of the ONOC Medical Commission's work is the systematic data collection being conducted throughout the Games. This comprehensive monitoring system tracks athlete health incidents, resource utilization, and response times, creating an invaluable database for future Games planning. The information collected helps establish evidence-based standards for future Games medical planning, addressing a long-standing challenge in the region where "there's no set list" of medical requirements.

The third and final phase involves comprehensive reporting and feedback, where all collected data is analyzed and shared with relevant stakeholders, including the Medical Commission and participating nations. This creates a continuous improvement cycle that benefits the entire Pacific Games community.

Dr. Ravea's motivation for this volunteer work stems from a deep commitment to regional healthcare improvement. "It all comes back to the passion for this work,” she reflected.

As the Pacific Mini Games continue, the partnership between ONOC Medical Commission and Palau exemplifies how regional collaboration can enhance healthcare delivery while building lasting capacity for future sporting events across the Oceania.

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For more information about the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, visit;