Single Staff Member Tackles Climate Resilience in Fiji’s Health Sector

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) currently has only one staff member dedicated to overseeing climate resilience initiatives, which has led to delays in reporting the ministry’s efforts to combat the impacts of climate change on public health. According to the Fiji Health Adaptation Plan (FHAP) for 2024 to 2030, the ministry is facing significant challenges related to institutional capacity, especially in human resources.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Report of the Climate Change and Health Strategic Action Plan indicated that due to these limitations, no reporting outputs have been generated by the Climate Change and Health Steering Committee, tasked with quarterly progress updates on implementation. The Climate Change and Health Unit (CCHU) has been notably scaled down to just a single officer whose responsibilities include climate change-related tasks.

To address these challenges, the MHMS aims to expand the CCHU and plans to recruit additional staff. The goal is to establish a full CCHU with at least three permanent full-time positions to support the ministry in executing its ambitious agenda laid out in the Health Adaptation Plan. This unit will work collaboratively, enhancing existing programs to incorporate climate change actions into their operational strategies.

Furthermore, the CCHU intends to develop strategic action plans and policies related to climate change and health, facilitate capacity building in this area, and monitor and evaluate health initiatives affected by climate change.

In summary, while the current staffing situation presents challenges, the MHMS is taking proactive measures to strengthen its response to climate change impacts on health, showcasing a commitment to building resilience within the healthcare system.

This positive approach highlights the ministry’s recognition of the need for expansion and improvement in climate change measures, ultimately aiming for a stronger, more coordinated response that can protect public health against environmental changes.