Health Ministry eyes Lomaiviti pharmaceutical centre to boost medicine access
The Health Ministry is in discussions to establish a pharmaceutical centre in Lomaiviti to improve access to essential medicines for residents across the division. Sub Divisional Medical Officer Lomaiviti, Dr. Malakai Raluve, confirmed a meeting with the prospective partner company took place last week. The proposal aims to prevent future supply disruptions and delays caused by long transport times, ensuring timely medicine availability for communities in Ovalau, Batiki, Moturiki, Koro and the broader Lomaiviti Division.
The plan reflects a broader national push to decentralize pharmaceutical storage and strengthen supply chains, following a series of recent health infrastructure developments across Fiji. In Labasa, a new $2.2 million pharmaceutical warehouse named Tolu was opened to streamline the distribution of medicines to dozens of facilities in the Northern Division, with Prime Minister Rabuka highlighting improved access and shorter wait times for patients. The Labasa facility is supported by international partners, including funding from Japan, and is designed to alleviate reliance on centralized stocks in Suva.
Complementing these efforts, other initiatives include the recent opening of a health facility in Dago, Nananu, Tailevu, funded by New Zealand, which aims to serve thousands of residents and strengthen regional health access. The government has been pursuing a mix of measures to address ongoing medicine shortages, such as new storage capabilities, stronger inventory management, and supply agreements with pharmaceutical suppliers.
In broader context, Fiji is also exploring local pharmaceutical development, including plans for domestic drug manufacturing and testing capabilities, as part of a strategy to enhance self-sufficiency and resilience in healthcare. Officials emphasize that these coordinated investments aim to improve emergency readiness, reduce stockouts, and ensure consistent access to medicines for all Fijians.
Context and implications for readers
– The Lomaiviti initiative fits a pattern of decentralizing medicine storage to shorten delivery times and reduce stockouts in remote areas.
– The Tolu warehouse in Labasa demonstrates how external funding and regional facilities can expand access to medicines across multiple health facilities and populations.
– Government actions have included stronger procurement and inventory systems, new storage facilities, and international partnerships to sustain a reliable medicine supply.
– There is a broader emphasis on resilience, including potential local pharmaceutical development and collaboration with international partners to improve access and affordability.
What to watch next
– Whether the Lomaiviti centre progresses from talks to a formal agreement and procurement phase.
– How the new decentralised facilities impact medicine wait times, stock levels, and patient outcomes in Fiji’s northern and peripheral regions.
– How these local efforts integrate with ongoing reforms in procurement, supplier arrangements, and potential domestic manufacturing and testing capabilities.
Overall, the proposed Lomaiviti pharmaceutical centre signals continued momentum toward decentralised storage and more reliable medicine access for Fiji’s communities, echoing recent successes and ongoing investments in the country’s health infrastructure.
Summary note for editors
The article ties a local development in Lomaiviti to a broader nationwide trend of expanding decentralized medicine storage, improving distribution networks, and strengthening health resilience through infrastructure upgrades and international partnerships. A hopeful, forward-looking angle highlights how these coordinated efforts could reduce delays and stockouts in remote areas while supporting longer-term goals of local pharmaceutical capacity.
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