Archives June 2016

Mr Usamate visits Health Facilities in the North

The Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate this week visited health facilities in the North, particularly in rural areas including Nakorovatu Health Centre, Kubulau Nursing Station, Wainunu Health Centre and Nabouwalu Hospital.

The above health facilities had sustained damage during TC Winston, and this was an opportunity to review the current provision of health services after rehabilitation work was conducted by the Government.

On the visit Mr Usamate was informed that the quick response from the government and donor agencies has helped to reshape the health centres, and although minor issues persist, the Ministry continues to explore various means to address them.

While meeting the staff and patients, Mr Usamate reassured them that the Ministry will look at the shortcomings, and that it had been working tirelessly with the available resources to address concerns.

“We are constantly monitoring the provision of the health services around the country and we will certainly work closely with the respective departments to normalize the services at these health facilities,” Mr Usamate said.

He also thanked the staff for doing their best to provide health care services for the benefit of the society as a whole.

New degree program for nurses

The introduction of the new nursing science degree program is yet another milestone achievement for the nursing fraternity in Fiji.

This was revealed by the Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate at the launch of the new curriculum at the TISI Sangam school of Nursing in Labasa.

Nurses in Fiji will now acquire a three year degree, compared to the diploma program that was offered at the Sangam School of Nursing and the Fiji National University prior to the introduction of the course at degree level.

Mr Usamate said this will increase the competency and skills of nurses enabling them to broaden their career prospects.

“In line with upgrading the skills and competencies of nurses, the Ministry has been looking at developing specialized nurses and I am sure that through this program that will be accomplished”, Mr Usamate said.

Mr Usamate also emphasized that upgrading nurses’ qualifications remains a priority of the Ministry.

The Chairman of the Acedemic Board of the TISI Sangam School Mr Amraiya Naidu said that they had been working toward this program since 2014.

“It took a lot of consultations and preparatory work to introduce degree-level courses, and I am glad that due to such vigilant planning since 2014, we have been able to facilitate such a program.” Mr Naidu added.

Meanwhile, college director Eleni Kata said more than 60 nurses had already enrolled in the program and were expected to graduate next year.

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“Fight the Bite” Clean Up Campaign – Ovalau Island

Following the national “Fight the Bite” roll-out last month, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Levuka and the Provincial Administrator Lomaiviti are coordinating a clean-up campaign for 27 villages/communities on Ovalau Island.

The objective is to empower communities to take ownership of their own health by preventing the spread of Dengue Fever, Chikungunya and Zika by destroying mosquito breeding grounds including tins, bottles, tyres, drums etc.

Eight communities have been covered so far, which include Levuka Town Area, Levuka Hospital, Governments offices and quarters, Wailailai Village, Naikorokoro Village, Vagadaci Village and Draiba Area. The clean-up campaign will cover villages and settlements in Tikina Nasinu, Tikina Levuka, Tikina Bureta and Tikina Lovoni.

The community participation was very encouraging, as it shows their support and commitment to the Government’s national call to stop the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya.

Various government departments assisted the communities in the Clean-Up campaign, as well as inmates from Fiji Correctional Services in Levuka Town.

The Commissioner Eastern Division Mr. Luke Moroivalu joined the Health Ministry and other government departments in Levuka on Thursday 2^nd June to participate in the clean-up campaign.

Malnutrition a concern

The Permament Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr Meciusela Tuicakau with Nutrition Specialist from UNICEF Ms Uma Palaniappan and participants at the workshop on malnutrition.

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services remains concerned with malnutrition cases in the country. To effectively address this and strengthen systems in place, the Ministry conducted a week-long workshop to “train the trainers” on Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition in children under the age of 5.

The workshop was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary for Health & Medical Services Dr Meciusela Tuicakau. The aim of the workshop is to further up-skill health workers on preventative measure against malnutrition.

A National Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition guideline was drafted in 2016 by Senior Nutrition Consultant Ghermai Berhe, seconded by stand-in partner Canadem from Canada, to provide the framework for appropriate interventions

Through this training, healthcare providers will be well-equipped and skilled to provide and assist at a community level through early interventions. This will assist with reducing the load of cases seen at health facilities.

“I appeal to all participants of this training to utilize these guidelines as they are highly technical and the Ministry of Health & Medical Services is committed to ensuring appropriate implementation of these guidelines”, Dr Tuicakau said in his address.

UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Ms Uma Palaniappan said that the integrated management of acute malnutrition for children under 5 is one of the life-saving interventions.

“This serves as a key cornerstone of UNICEF’s essential interventions and strategies to improve child survival” Ms Palaniappan said.

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services expresses its sincere gratitude for the support from its various partners in facilitating such training to improve national nutrition rates and child survival.