FAQ

• How do I get involved?
  Make contact with us on our Contact Page. If you would like to register for the upcoming event, let us know and we’ll send you a registration form. If you would rather just be kept in the loop for future years, that’s ok also!
• When and where does PICCSI operate?
  PICCSI runs five-day events once per year, visiting five different towns (one per day). All events have been in Fiji so far.
• Which locations have you visited?
  PICCSI has visited Ba, Rakiraki, Ra Maternity Hospital, Tavua, Sigatoka, Keiyasi and Nadi
• When is the next trip?
  In 2024, the event will be held from Monday, June 24th to Friday, June 28th.
• What is the schedule like?
  The days are long, so be prepared for intense but rewarding work.
• Does PICCSI arrange accommodation and flights?
  No, volunteers will need to arrange their own flights, accommodation, and insurance.
• Can PICCSI help with medical registration for doctors?
  Yes, PICCSI can facilitate medical registration for volunteer doctors. Medical registration fees are included in your PICCSI volunteer registration payment.
• What about nursing registration for nurses/midwives?
  Nurses/midwives are asked to arrange their own medication (we will provide you with the relevant links)
• Who can volunteer?
  Volunteers from all walks of life are welcome, not just medical professionals. We need keen, responsible volunteers of all ages.
• Where are most volunteers from?
  Most PICCSI volunteers have been from Victoria, Australia. Volunteers from other states and countries can and do participate.
• What checks are required for Victorian volunteers?
  Victorian volunteers need a Working with Children Check (WWCC). Vol (or the equivalent in other jurisdictions).
• Is transportation provided?
  Transport from Vuda is provided by bus each day.
• Where can volunteers stay?
  Many volunteers choose to stay in accommodation adjacent to Vuda Marina (e.g. First Landing, Anchorage, Nila).
• Are there health concerns for tourists?
  Dengue fever outbreaks can occur, so take appropriate precautions.
• Are there any safety concerns?
  The Australian government site Smart Traveller (Fiji) is a resource that we recommend keeping an eye on.
• What’s included in the volunteer registration fee?
  A ‘Welcome Dinner’ on the Sunday night is included in your registration fee. You will receive a PICCSI ‘Bula shirt’ at the dinner. Transport by bus to the site each day is included, as well as lunch.
• What else should I bring?
  Please bring along some water each day. Please bring along a reusable coffee/tea cup.
• Does Fiji recycle?
  Recycling is rare in most of the Pacific. Most hospitals incinerate rubbish, so please try to be mindful and leave nothing behind at the hospital sites we visit.
• What is the local currency?
  The local currenct is the Fijian Dollar. Over the past few decades, the Fijian dollar has tended to remain fairly stable.
  Approximately: FJD$1.00 = AUD$0.67 AUD = NZD$0.74. Link to the current exchange rate.
• Do I need traveller’s cheques or to change money before I arrive in Fiji?
  There are ATMs at the airport and also one at Vuda Marina. Local ATMs will charge a fee (on top of any fees your bank may charge) for a cash advance (generally less than FJD$10).
• Will my devices work in Fiji?
  Fiji uses the same electrical plugs as Australia and New Zealand. Power outages are not unheard of. Most resorts will have generators in case of a blackout.
• Will my mobile phone work in Fiji?
  There are two major mobile phone carriers in Fiji: Vodafone Fiji and Digicel. Both provide international roaming and both offer free ‘tourist’ SIM cards at the airport (Vodafone | Digicel). Tourist SIMs generally come with 2GiB of data (valid for 24 or 48 hours) which can be topped up online. These SIM cards are disposable and will expire after one month. Phone coverage is fairly good around the main island of Viti Levu, even in the more remote towns we visit. Coverage is patchy in the mountainous interior of Viti Levu and on outer islands.
• How do I get to Fiji?
  Direct flights to Nadi from the eastern Australian states and New Zealand are frequent.
• What testing and treatment methods does PICCSI use?
  PICCSI uses PCR testing to detect HPV and offers on-the-spot treatment for women if needed.