The World Bank will enhance its support for health sectors in Fiji and the Pacific through increased financial and technical assistance. This announcement was made by World Bank President Ajay Banga during his visit to the Nuffield Health Clinic in Tamavua, alongside Fiji’s Minister for Health, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu.
Currently in Fiji, Mr. Banga is engaged in discussions with the government to address various topics, including the challenges in healthcare. He highlighted that the World Bank has conducted a health report for Fiji, serving as a baseline to demonstrate the necessity for Fiji to allocate more resources, both financially and intellectually, to the healthcare sector.
Mr. Banga emphasized that the World Bank’s role is to provide Fiji with technical assistance and financing. He noted the significance of regional infrastructure due to the small populations of Pacific islands, advocating for collaborative efforts among these communities to enhance healthcare capabilities.
During his visit, Mr. Banga observed the dedication of healthcare professionals working under significant capacity constraints, stressing the importance of community outreach for preventative care and early disease detection. He reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to improving primary healthcare for 1.5 billion people by 2030, focusing on early disease detection through diagnostic centers and health education.
In his remarks, he highlighted the need to address non-communicable diseases and mentioned the global challenge of skills loss in the health sector. Mr. Banga advocated for creating an environment that encourages healthcare professionals to remain in their communities, emphasizing the importance of developing a supportive atmosphere and appropriate compensation.
The World Bank’s initial intervention in Fiji’s healthcare sector was the $7.35 million (FJD 16.36 million) COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, which was approved in June 2020 and is set to conclude in June 2024.