Fiji To Further Strengthen Relationship With WHO

Fiji supports the strengthening of health sys­tem’s resilience to climate risks, aiding efforts to adapt to climate change and promoting meas­ures to mitigate the effects of climate change around the world that will assist in sustaining the lives of vul­nerable communities in the Small Islands Developing States.

Fiji is also calling on WHO to step up and develop special health initiatives that target the vulnerable and fragile economies who are frequently exposed to extreme natural events. This was highlighted by the Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete at the WHO 144th Session of the Execu­tive Board Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Fiji is effectively using every opportunity to inform WHO of the SIDS priorities. This includes the nexus between Climate Change and Health, Health Facil­ity Resilience, Non Communicable Diseases, Primary Health Care and General Support Services.”

Dr Waqainabete reiterated that certain issues dis­cussed at such international platforms would need to be implemented at the regional and national level and that would be Fiji’s priority in the coming years such as issues related to medicines, drugs and consumables.

He also hopes to have a strong health and support sys­tem that sustains patient and community safety noting that Malaria and polio remains an issue for the Pacific.

On the margins of the meeting, Fiji will be meeting with her European partners who have effective health systems to share experiences and best practices that are effective with the least minimal cost that could also be implemented in Fiji to ensure that no one is left be­hind.

Source: DEPTFO News