The Coalition Government is preparing to announce its new National Development Plan, aimed at providing renewed hope and guidance for development in Fiji. Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, emphasized this point during his address at the Fiji Medical Association Annual Scientific Conference held in Nadi yesterday.
Dr. Lalabalavu expressed the Ministry’s eagerness to align its strategies with the new National Development Plan, focusing on building a resilient health system that leverages innovation and technology to deliver high-quality, evidence-based health services. This initiative is geared towards realizing Fiji’s vision of a healthy population.
He also mentioned that the Cabinet has approved the National HIV Surge Strategy, which is set to be officially launched soon. Dr. Lalabalavu urged the Association for their support and collaboration in implementing this strategy, highlighting the need for multi-stakeholder cooperation to combat the spread of HIV within communities.
“The health sector, particularly public health, has encountered significant challenges in infrastructure, human resources, quality of care, and health financing over recent years,” he noted.
Dr. Lalabalavu added, “Since the Coalition Government took office approximately a year and a half ago, it has been clear and intentional in its policy priorities to confront these challenges directly through collaboration, innovation, and decisive actions aimed at improving healthcare in Fiji.”