The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in Fiji is currently faced with challenges in managing climate resilience work due to having only one staff member assigned to this critical area. This limitation has resulted in delays in reporting progress related to the ministry’s efforts to mitigate the health sector’s impacts from climate change, as outlined in the Fiji Health Adaptation Plan (FHAP) 2024 – 2030.
The MHMS has acknowledged its limitations in institutional capacity, particularly in relation to human resources for health, as noted in the Monitoring and Evaluation Report of the Climate Change and Health Strategic Action Plan. The report highlights that the absence of sufficient personnel has hindered the Climate Change and Health Steering Committee’s ability to produce quarterly implementation reports. Currently, climate change functions have been condensed to just one officer within the Climate Change and Health Unit (CCHU).
To address these issues and enhance capacity, the ministry plans to recruit additional staff for the CCHU over the next six years. The goal is to establish a fully functional unit with at least three permanent staff members dedicated to supporting the ambitious health adaptation agenda. The new unit aims to integrate climate change considerations into various operational plans without duplicating functions of existing units within the ministry.
In addition to staffing, the CCHU will focus on developing strategic action plans and policies related to climate change and health, facilitating capacity-building efforts, and ensuring effective monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of health-related climate initiatives undertaken by the MHMS.
This initiative demonstrates a positive step towards strengthening the ministry’s response to climate change, ultimately benefiting public health efforts and ensuring that the health sector is equipped to handle the ongoing challenges posed by a changing environment. By investing in human resources and establishing dedicated units, the MHMS is paving the way for more effective climate resilience strategies in the future.
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