New training modules to strengthen community health workers

Frontline healthcare in Fiji’s rural and remote communities is set for a major boost, with Community Health Workers (CHW) to undergo strengthened training under newly updated modules launched in Suva yesterday.

The initiative was officially launched by Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

The updated training package is designed to enhance the skills and relevance of Community Health Workers (CHWs), who have long served as a vital link between the formal health system and village communities since the late 1970s.

Dr Lalabalavu said CHWs remain the “hands, eyes, ears and feet” of the Ministry of Health, playing a critical role in delivering health education, promoting wellness, and supporting home-based care across rural Fiji.

He said the revised modules reflect Fiji’s evolving health landscape, including the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers, alongside ongoing infectious disease challenges.

The curriculum update follows a 2024 review supported by the Australian government, which assessed the relevance of CHW training in addressing workforce shortages and emerging public health threats, including dengue fever, tuberculosis, HIV, and disaster response needs.

The programme also introduces training-of-trainers components to support wider rollout and ensure consistent delivery across all divisions.

There are about 2,000 community health workers in Fiji who support public health services and receive a monthly allowance after submitting reports.

“The strengthened training system will improve community-level healthcare delivery and ensure CHWs remain central to Fiji’s primary healthcare network,” Dr Lalabalavu said.

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