Fiji’s healthcare system is facing significant challenges due to years of neglect, as highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad during an interview coinciding with the launch of the Fiji Health Sector Review.
The recent World Bank report reveals a troubling decline in health outcomes over the last two decades, prompting the Fijian government to seek the review amid growing concerns over worsening indicators. According to Professor Prasad, the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country can be directly linked to decades of inadequate attention to public health.
He emphasized that health outcomes from the 1970s to the 1990s were significantly better, and the downturn since then has not only posed a public health crisis but has also created an economic burden, as the costs associated with treating chronic diseases continue to rise. Investments in preventive healthcare, he argued, could yield better economic outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs.
Reflecting on better days, Professor Prasad recounted a time when nurses would conduct regular visits to communities for follow-up care, a practice that has largely faded in favor of a more reactive system that often results in more severe health issues requiring hospital treatment.
To combat these challenges, the government is embarking on a major overhaul of Fiji’s healthcare infrastructure. Significant initiatives include a super-specialty hospital planned with the Indian Government’s support, upgrades to the CWM hospital in collaboration with the Australian Government, and the development of a new national hospital designed to serve not just Fiji, but other Pacific nations as well.
This concerted effort by the Coalition Government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, reflects a commitment to enhancing health outcomes across the country.
In summary, while Fiji’s healthcare system is currently struggling, there are strategic plans in place for meaningful improvements. The government’s focus on rebuilding the healthcare infrastructure and preventive care could lead to better health outcomes and a more resilient healthcare system in the future. This serves as a hopeful reminder that with determination and appropriate investment, the trajectory of public health can be positively altered.
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