Sugarcane farmers in Fiji can now benefit from affordable healthcare through the newly launched Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) Loyalty Program. This initiative, aimed at active cane growers, was unveiled by Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad during the opening of a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) chamber at the Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) Hospital in Nadi.
Professor Prasad emphasized the government’s commitment to support the sugar farming community, stating that the SCGF Loyalty Program is an essential part of enhancing access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas where many farmers reside. He remarked, “This partnership with PSH ensures that farmers have access to affordable healthcare and demonstrates our government’s commitment to improving health services.”
The initiative is aligned with recent efforts by PSH to foster relationships with the agricultural sector. The hospital’s collaboration with SCGF aims to provide discounted healthcare services to over 10,500 sugarcane farmers, acknowledging their critical role in the national economy. Notably, this program also includes plans for extending healthcare access to farmers in Labasa.
Parvish Kumar, the founder and CEO of PSH, alongside SCGF chairperson Ahmed Bhamji and Fund CEO Raj Sharma, discussed how the collaboration utilizes the collective buying power of farmers to deliver enhanced healthcare benefits. Bhamji asserted that the program will reward farmers for their hard work and improve their overall well-being.
Furthermore, plans for outreach programs are set to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on wellness and healthcare awareness among cane farmers. Kumar pointed out the operational challenges faced by farmers in accessing quality healthcare, expressing his dedication to ensuring that they now have quicker and more affordable medical services at PSH facilities.
This partnership represents a significant progression in not only supporting the healthcare needs of Fiji’s sugarcane farmers but also enhancing the economic viability of a vital sector in the Fijian economy. By investing in healthcare infrastructure and establishing programs like the SCGF Loyalty Program, both the government and PSH are fostering a healthier future for the farming community, reinforcing their essential contribution to the nation’s prosperity.
In summary, this initiative is a hopeful sign for both farmers and the broader community, as it highlights the importance of accessible healthcare in sustaining agricultural productivity and improving living standards in Fiji.
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