The front page of The Fiji on September 6 presents a concerning and dramatic series of events. The day started with the arrest of Barbara Malimali, the newly appointed commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), and ended with the unexpected resignation of acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai. Malimali’s appointment was shadowed by controversy, as Puleiwai reported that a raid of the Electoral Commission office had occurred on Tuesday. At that time, Malimali, who was still serving as Electoral Commissioner, had not officially resigned, raising questions amidst the announcement. Tensions escalated when FICAC confirmed the arrest of its own leader. The Attorney-General later held a press conference, expressing concerns about the situation and urging the media to interpret the implications for themselves.
In a separate matter, the health of the nation is under scrutiny, with the World Bank promising to enhance financial and technical assistance to Fiji’s health sector. During a visit to the Nuffield Health Clinic in Tamavua, World Bank President Ajay Banga announced the bank’s preparation of a health report for Fiji, which will steer future initiatives.
Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, raised alarms in Parliament regarding a significant increase in workplace heart attacks. A survey conducted over a year involving 107 workplaces revealed that heart disease is the leading cause of death among workers, with obesity and high blood pressure also cited as critical risks. The comprehensive study, collaborated on with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), involved 3,456 participants.
On February 14, 2024, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka introduced new guidelines aimed at promoting healthy catering in all government agencies, signaling a shift from previously endorsed guidelines from 2017. The survey underscored serious health issues, showing that half of the participants were obese and 32% suffered from high blood pressure, with 5% classified as severely hypertensive.
Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized that the new policy aims to curb non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Fiji, stressing the need for urgent measures to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and heart disease, both of which are leading health threats. Alarmingly, 60% of young workers aged 20 to 25 are at a high risk of developing NCDs, with 31% at risk for future heart complications.
The situation presents significant challenges, prompting a call to action for Fijians to heed health advice. However, economic factors, such as affordability of healthy food, are critical to the implementation of effective dietary changes. If Fijians struggle to afford nutritious diets, it could exacerbate the health crisis. Addressing these issues requires a unified effort to promote better health through improved dietary choices and supportive economic policies. Dialogue between the public and policymakers is essential to devise solutions for these pressing health challenges.