The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in Fiji currently has only one staff member responsible for managing climate resilience initiatives. This singular oversight has led to delays in reporting the ministry’s efforts to address the impact of climate change on public health, as outlined in the Fiji Health Adaptation Plan (FHAP) for 2024-2030.
The report highlights constraints within the ministry’s institutional capacity, particularly in health human resources. As a result, the Climate Change and Health Steering Committee has failed to produce any reporting outputs, which has hindered the effective monitoring of climate-related health strategies.
Moreover, the Climate Change and Health Unit (CCHU) has been reduced to just one officer tasked with climate change responsibilities. However, the ministry has plans to expand the unit over the next six years by hiring additional staff to bolster its capabilities. The goal is to establish a well-functioning CCHU with at least three full-time equivalent positions to advance the ambitious health adaptation goals.
This newly established unit aims to complement existing programs within the ministry rather than replicate their functions. It will focus on integrating climate change considerations into various operational plans and will be responsible for developing strategic action plans and policies, as well as monitoring and evaluating related activities.
Summary: The MHMS in Fiji is currently hampered by a lack of personnel dedicated to climate resilience, which has led to reporting delays. Plans to expand the Climate Change and Health Unit to include more staff are underway, aiming to better integrate climate considerations into health programs.
Overall, this development brings hope for the future as the MHMS seeks to enhance its capacity to combat climate-related challenges in the health sector. With the establishment of a dedicated unit, there is potential for more robust and effective strategies to emerge, ultimately benefiting the health of the population in the face of climate change.
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