Fiji’s Health Infrastructure Faces Climate Crisis: What’s Next?

Over the past decade, Fiji has experienced significant challenges to its health infrastructure due to the impact of 20 cyclones between 2010 and 2022. The newly introduced Fiji Health Adaptation Plan (FHAP) for 2024 to 2030 outlines the threats posed by climate-related disasters to the nation’s health facilities. According to the FHAP, it is evident that both the population and the health system are particularly vulnerable to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

The FHAP indicates that sixteen health facilities sustained considerable damage from these storms, with three still awaiting reconstruction. Alarmingly, approximately 90% of Fiji’s population resides in coastal regions, where around 41% of healthcare facilities are located within 500 meters of the shore and at least 27 facilities are situated less than 100 meters from the coastline.

Launched recently, the FHAP serves as the Ministry of Health’s strategy to address the ongoing impact of climate change on health services over the coming six years. It builds on insights gained from the previously established Climate Change and Health Strategic Action Plan (CCHSAP). The FHAP emphasizes that combating climate change’s pervasive effects requires a more integrated approach to how the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) organizes its operations.

The plan outlines 35 adaptation and mitigation actions that span six critical areas of health system development. These steps aim to fundamentally transform how climate change is incorporated into all MHMS programs and policies, promoting a more robust strategy toward climate resilience and environmental sustainability within the healthcare sector.

This new approach is a promising step forward for Fiji, highlighting the nation’s commitment to enhancing its health infrastructure’s resilience against future climate-related challenges. By prioritizing these initiatives, Fiji can protect its vulnerable communities and health systems, ensuring a healthier future despite the prevailing environmental threats.