There is a significant shortage of child psychologists and psychiatrists in Fiji, as highlighted by Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Lynda Tabuya. During a media conference, she emphasized the urgent need to improve child support services in the country, noting that the ministry faces challenges in recruiting qualified professionals to work with children.
“The Government is committed to providing these essential services to children,” she stated. To address the gap, efforts are underway to train and upskill personnel in child welfare offices to better support children’s psychological needs.
Ms. Tabuya also called for collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to attract expertise in psychiatry and psychology to Fiji, along with an appeal to non-governmental organizations to help safeguard children.
Additionally, she announced that the ministry is making progress on establishing Fiji’s first National Action Plan aimed at preventing violence against children. The focus will be on five key settings: traditional, immediate, educational, faith-based, and family dynamics. “We aim to support families holistically to enhance child welfare and protect all family members,” she noted.