The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, is confident that his upcoming visit to Bangkok, Thailand, next year will enhance their understanding and help resolve the challenges related to birth and death registrations in Fiji. The ministry has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100 percent birth registration by the year 2026.
According to Mr. Turaga, Fiji is leading the way compared to other Pacific Island nations, with an 80 percent birth registration rate. However, he noted that the remaining 20 percent of the population still needs engagement to ensure every birth is registered.
“We found that 20 percent of the population in Fiji is not accounted for,” he stated. “Teams examining certain areas in Vanua Levu have noted a significant issue of non-registration among newborns and children. While awareness is growing, it still falls short of reaching the entire targeted demographic.”
Mr. Turaga emphasized the necessity for additional budgetary support in the next financial year to continue advancing birth registration efforts. Labasa Town Council’s special administrator, Samuela Ligairi, has called on advisory councillors and village leaders to aid the ministry in identifying individuals who have not registered their births in their communities and villages.