The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, believes that his upcoming visit to Bangkok, Thailand, next year will enhance the understanding and solutions for birth and death registration challenges in Fiji. The ministry is working towards achieving 100 percent birth registration by 2026.
“Fiji is leading in comparison to other Pacific Island nations,” Mr. Turaga stated. Currently, Fiji boasts an 80 percent birth registration rate, but the goal is to engage the remaining unregistered population.
“This indicates that 20 percent of the population in Fiji is currently unaccounted for,” he explained. He noted that government teams conducted visits in parts of Vanua Levu and identified that non-registration of births among newborns and children remains a significant issue. There has been a slight increase in awareness, but it has not yet reached the entire targeted population.
Mr. Turaga also mentioned the need for increased budgetary support in the upcoming financial year to further the birth registration initiative. Labasa Town Council special administrator Samuela Ligairi urged advisory councillors and village leaders to collaborate with the ministry in identifying individuals who have not registered their births in communities and villages.