The Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement that will see the improvement of health over a three-year period.

5S-KAIZEN-TQM is a method or guideline that helps the recipients of the training to understand what is of high quality in health care services and delivery.

The project will be carried out at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Nausori Maternity Hospital, Nausori Health Centre, Lautoka Hospital and Labasa Hospital.

JICA Fiji resident representative Hiroyuki Sawada said: “It is hoped that after the completion of the Project, model sites for 5S-KAIZEN-TQM are established and the organisational capacity are strengthened at these Ministry’s health facilities.”

5S stands for “Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain” which represents five simple actions, that can be taken to obtain visible results in a short period of time.

Over the course of the project period, several experts from JICA will be dispatched to support the Ministry and its personnel in the implementation of this Project.

KAIZEN is a management philosophy and know-how that brings about continuous improvement of productivity and quality.

“It is a philosophy that has contributed to the development of Japan, especially in the manufacturing industries.  KAIZEN is a human centered approach which fosters team work, self-reliance, creativity and ingenuity.”

JICA has been supporting the development of the manufacturing industries and SMEs in more than 30 countries by introducing the KAIZEN Philosophy.

The signing was done at Dinem House in Toorak on Thursday.

Edited by Mohammed Ali

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