Findings from a national Validation Workshop for Fiji’s draft National Ageing Policy have laid bare widespread financial insecurity and gaps in healthcare access for older Fijians, with community consultations revealing heavy reliance on the Government’s social pension and mounting pressure on services outside urban centres.
Consultant Pauline Tweedie, who led the consultations, told the workshop that many older people depend on the social pension and, where available, Fiji National Provident Fund support because retirement savings are insufficient. She said participants repeatedly reported that pensions are not keeping pace with the rising cost of living — citing increases in food, fuel, transport and other daily necessities — and urged stronger measures to bolster retirement adequacy. Communities raised a specific policy request to lower social pension eligibility from 65 to 60 years to align with Fiji’s retirement age, a move Tweedie said would require careful government modelling of the fiscal impact.
Healthcare access emerged as a major concern in the consultations, with stark urban–rural disparities. Tweedie noted that older people in Suva and other urban centres generally have easier access to hospitals and specialist services, whereas rural and maritime communities face shortages of medicines, medical equipment and trained personnel. Community health workers were praised for their efforts but described as under-resourced and lacking specialised geriatric training to meet growing needs of the ageing population.
Transport and physical accessibility were also highlighted as persistent barriers. Older persons reported difficulties boarding buses, concerns about unsafe driving practices, and inconsistent respect for designated seating for senior citizens. The consultations further underscored social problems including neglect and loneliness — exacerbated when younger family members migrate for work — with many elderly people still carrying heavy responsibilities such as caring for grandchildren.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the ageing policy is now moving through government consultation processes before being taken to Cabinet. Kiran reiterated that the policy itself is a national framework intended to guide action across ministries and does not directly determine pension rates or allowances. She confirmed that one of the consultation outcomes was a clear call for stronger legal protections for older persons and that the government is working on legislation addressing ageing and elder protection.
Tweede emphasized the importance of cross‑sectoral implementation, noting that transport, health and social protection agencies will all need to collaborate to translate the policy into practical services. She also urged more Fijians, especially informal workers, to consider voluntary contributions to the Fiji National Provident Fund to improve retirement preparedness, and encouraged younger generations to engage with and support older family members in adapting to digital services.
The workshop’s findings add new, community-level evidence to an ongoing national review of ageing policy and elder protections that the government has signalled in recent months. While earlier coverage flagged rising concern about elder abuse, neglect and suicide rates, the Validation Workshop provides granular recommendations — from lowering pension age to strengthening community health worker capacity — that will shape forthcoming Cabinet discussions and proposed legislation.