The introduction of the HPV vaccine was made possible through a four year cost-sharing agreement between the Ministry of Health and AusAID that has supported the introduction of 3 new vaccines.  AusAID support for the four years will total approximately FJD$10 million and will be delivered through the Fiji Health Sector Support Program. 

The packs include baby wipes, diapers, baby cream, baby soap and baby powder amongst other things.

Meanwhile, births at the CWM Hospital shot to an all time high in March.

Dr Neil Sharma offered his sympathies and prayers to American Citizens on the East Coast who have suffered major distress with Hurricane “Sandy”.

Dr Neil Sharma highlighted Fiji’s close relationship with the US Peace Corp organisation for several decades.

The changing political climate sees the return of the Peace Corps 89 – Fiji Group to Fiji and to the delight of the Ministry of Health the Peace Corp volunteers will be absorbed into public health area of Non Communicable Diseases and Maternal Child Health specifically.

ALL Ministry of Health staff have been reminded about office hours, punctuality and attendance in a circular sent to department heads by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Sala Saketa.
The circular basically covers the three major areas as part of the ministry’s move towards customer focus in 2010.

THE Ministry of Health is conducting an internal investigation on circumstances surrounding the release of the wrong body from the Sigatoka Hospital mortuary earlier this week.

Public Hospitals and Dispensaries

(Amendment) Regulations 2012

In Exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 6 of the Public Hospitals and Dispensaries Act (Cap. 110), I hereby make these Regulations -

There are a few viruses that can cause hand, foot and mouth disease in humans and they are not the same viruses that cause foot (hoof) and mouth in animals. The virus identified from the laboratory results is Coxsackie virus A6 which typically causes a mild illness with nearly all patients recovering in 7–10 days without medical treatment. So far almost all children seen in these Suva clinics were sent home with treatment.