Fiji is on the verge of forging a partnership with a Hong Kong-based health charity to combat dengue fever, as Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka recently met with Leung Chun-yin, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the GX Foundation. This non-profit organization is known for providing medical and public health assistance in nations participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
During their discussions, there was a strong emphasis on collaborating to devise effective dengue prevention strategies. Leung expressed the foundation’s readiness to work alongside Fiji’s Health Ministry, sharing insights from a successful pilot project in Timor-Leste that implemented supportive measures across more than 300 clinics. This initiative included supplying mosquito lamps, nets, sticky traps, and rapid dengue test kits, and promoting community awareness sessions, all aimed at reducing dengue cases through early diagnosis, education, and preventive actions.
Rabuka praised the impactful work of the GX Foundation and expressed enthusiasm for potential collaboration. The meeting was also attended by Acting Health Minister Filimoni Vosarogo and Assistant Minister Penioni Ravunawa, highlighting a unified governmental approach to addressing health crises.
This proposed partnership with the GX Foundation aligns well with Fiji’s ongoing initiatives to tackle various public health challenges, including dengue fever. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been active in campaigns to eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes, stressing the need for community participation, as shown in the proactive measures spearheaded in previous years to reduce health risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases.
The collective efforts of both the government and health organizations underscore a hopeful trajectory toward enhancing public health in Fiji. Through collaboration and community engagement, there is optimism that the spread of dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses can be significantly mitigated, promoting a healthier future for all Fijians.
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