‘Health is wealth’: Shaw urges Fijians to seek medical help

For 21-year-old Kali Maria Shaw, stepping onto the stage for the first time was a moment marked by nerves but also an opportunity to use her voice on an issue she believes Fiji can no longer afford to ignore.

The Mokani, Tailevu native is among the contestants taking part in this year’s 70th FMF Hibiscus Festival, beginning a journey she says will allow her to combine her passion for medicine with her advocacy for better health.

“I was a bit nervous before coming here,” Shaw said, reflecting on her first experience participating in a pageant of this kind.

But once she stepped onto the stage, the nerves began to fade.

“I felt really great because I am able to showcase and spread my advocacy to the world, those who are watching today,” she said.

For Shaw, the platform is about more than competition. As a medical student, she has chosen to focus her advocacy on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), an issue that continues to affect communities across Fiji despite years of public awareness campaigns.

Ms Shaw believes one of the challenges lies not only in preventing illness but also in changing the way people respond when they become sick.

She says stigma and fear can prevent people from seeking medical attention early, with some waiting until their condition has become serious before visiting a health facility.

“People are so afraid of going to the doctors,” she said. “They wait until the problem gets really worse and then they go to the hospital to seek medical attention.”

Through the Hibiscus platform, Shaw wants to encourage both young people and older generations to take the issue seriously and make their health a priority.

Her message is simple: seeking medical help should not be viewed as a weakness.

“I would like to use my platform as a way to reach out to people to tell them that it is okay, that choosing your health is an act of strength and an act of love for your family,” she said.

For Ms Shaw, the fight against NCDs begins with individuals taking responsibility for their health and having the courage to seek help when they need it.

“Health is wealth,” she said, urging people not to be afraid of going to hospitals or seeking medical attention.

As she looks ahead to the 70th FMF Hibiscus Festival, Ms Shaw says she is excited to embark on the journey alongside her fellow contestants.

For Ms Shaw, the stage is not simply a place to compete. It is a platform to remind Fijians that caring for their health is, in itself, an act of strength.