Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, has raised alarms regarding the escalating non-communicable diseases (NCD) crisis in the country, warning that failure to address the situation will lead to an unmanageable economic burden. During the launch of the Fiji Health Sector Review 2024 report, he underscored the imperative for Fijians to recognize the severity of the health crisis.
Prof Prasad noted that the country is experiencing stagnant health outcomes, necessitating urgent intervention to combat the growing health challenges. The report reveals that Fiji requires a significant investment of $50 million annually over the next 70 years to effectively tackle health issues, chiefly the rise in NCDs. He indicated that without prompt action, the expenditure on health could soar to nearly 7% of the GDP in response to the public health emergency.
Currently, health expenditure in Fiji is at around 4% of GDP, slightly below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 4.5%. Despite these challenges, Prof Prasad emphasized that proactive measures could alleviate future costs. He stated, “The pace at which NCDs are increasing is alarming,” advocating for immediate investment to better the health landscape.
Despite the urgent challenges, there are promising signs of progress. Prof Prasad highlighted government initiatives to enhance healthcare infrastructure, including improvements to facilities like the Nausori Health Centre, which now serves a population of 70,000 after significant renovations. He expressed optimism that while change may not happen overnight, tangible improvements are taking place.
In summary, the situation in Fiji requires immediate attention to the NCD crisis, with Prof Prasad urging for substantial investments in healthcare. However, the government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade health facilities and infrastructure indicate a movement toward better health outcomes, offering hope for future advancements as the nation confronts its health challenges.
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