Retired nurse Fulori Vakawaletabua believes that training rural women in child healthcare can greatly reduce travel costs for mothers in her community. Speaking at the commissioning of the newly established Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) facility at the Nayavuira Nursing Station in Ra, she highlighted the financial burden that travel imposes on women seeking healthcare.
Ms. Vakawaletabua noted that many young mothers across the region often travel together to share transportation costs, which can still amount to $60 for a round trip from Navuniivi Village to town, a significant expense for families. By offering local training programs, she contends, these women could gain essential knowledge and skills, reducing the need for costly trips to healthcare facilities.
She also addressed the importance of communication in the learning process, advocating for visual aids to help participants grasp medical concepts better. According to her, many residents in rural areas are well-educated and capable of absorbing this training effectively.
The commissioning of the WASH facility is part of a broader initiative in Fiji, backed by over $1 million in funding from the Korean government and overseen by UNICEF. Improvements to healthcare facilities are expected to alleviate the challenges of accessing safe medical services, especially for women and children. This initiative is crucial given that up to one-third of healthcare facilities in Fiji lack a reliable water supply, often forcing patients and healthcare workers to pay out of pocket for transport.
Overall, these upgrades in healthcare infrastructure are paving the way for healthier communities, reflecting growing commitments to public health and access, particularly in rural regions. With the hope of improved health outcomes and reduced travel-related costs, such initiatives represent a promising step towards strengthening the health and well-being of families in Fiji.
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