The Fiji SHARE Project, initiated in 2024 with a substantial €1.2 million investment from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), aims to bolster the Fiji National Public Health Laboratory’s technical capacity. This project focuses on monitoring human arboviruses in the Pacific and is a collaborative endeavor between the Institut Louis Malardé (ILM) from French Polynesia and the Fiji Centre for Disease Control (FCDC).
A recent visit from a distinguished delegation—led by Taivini Teai, Minister for Agriculture, Marine Resources, and the Environment of French Polynesia, alongside Julie Le Saos, the French Ambassador to Fiji—highlighted the project’s advancements. The delegation received comprehensive updates from Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, and other senior health officials, including Dr. Luisa Cikamatana and Dr. Daniel Faktaufon. The delegation had the opportunity to tour the FCDC facility, observing significant efforts to enhance public health initiatives in Fiji.
The SHARE Project, which stands for Surveillance of Human Arboviruses at Risk of Causing Epidemics in the Pacific, represents a critical move towards strengthening the region’s capacity in epidemic prevention and response. This endeavor aligns with Fiji’s broader public health strategies, as seen in other initiatives like the FluTracking project that aims to monitor respiratory infections and gather community-driven health data. Collectively, these projects emphasize proactive health management and the empowerment of the community in disease surveillance.
By fostering international cooperation and community involvement, the ongoing public health improvements in Fiji paint a promising picture for the nation’s ability to combat potential health threats and enhance overall community resilience against future disease outbreaks.
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