Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has emphasized Fiji’s unwavering commitment to enhancing health and well-being throughout the Pacific region during the official opening of the 76th World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific in Nadi. The meeting, which runs for a week, has gathered senior health officials from 38 member states—an impressive increase from 17 members when Fiji last hosted the event in 1984.
In his address, Prime Minister Rabuka highlighted the significance of this assembly, stating, “Today, we are 38 strong, collectively serving more than 2.2 billion people; over a quarter of the world’s population.” He acknowledged the progress made in the Pacific health landscape, while also bringing attention to ongoing challenges, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health issues, HIV, and the health risks associated with climate change.
With NCDs accounting for over 80% of deaths in Fiji, the Prime Minister underscored the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle these public health threats, especially as they impede social and economic development. He expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among adolescents, exacerbated by trauma, stress, and substance abuse.
To combat these challenges, Fiji has initiated several proactive measures. These include the introduction of healthy school policies, restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, and the expansion of mental health services through decentralized care and psychological first aid training. However, he pointed out that significant barriers still exist, such as stigma, insufficient funding, and data gaps.
The Prime Minister made a compelling call for targeted international financing to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in addressing NCDs and mental health care. He linked Fiji’s national philosophy of an “Ocean of Peace” to health, positing that peaceful societies equate to healthier societies, and that inclusive governance strengthens health outcomes.
Reaffirming Fiji’s commitment to advocating for universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, and climate-resilient health systems, the Prime Minister urged delegates to utilize the regional meeting as an opportunity to “reflect, reset, and reimagine our shared future.” He concluded, wishing that the discussions would be guided by wisdom, unity, and purpose, thereby laying the groundwork for a healthier and more resilient Western Pacific region.
In light of the pressing health issues faced by the Pacific Islands, this meeting represents a pivotal step toward enhanced cooperation and collective action, instilling hope for a healthier future across the region. As member states convene to address these shared challenges, the collaboration fostered here could yield transformative health initiatives, steering the Pacific Islands toward resilience and sustainable development.
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