Category Press Release

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.

Fiji Health Minister speaks on Climate Change at the Commonwealth Ministers for Health Meeting

The Minister for Health & Medical Services Hon. Jone Usamate in his role as Minister and Chair of the Pacific Health Ministers forum was part of the 4 member Ministerial Panel Discussion at the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting held on Sunday 22nd May 2016 in Geneva.

The Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting was held the day before the opening of the World Health Assembly.

The Hon. Minister spoke passionately on the theme ‘Climate Change and the Pacific’ and he emphasized the fact that climate change was threatening human life in the Pacific.

“Climate Change not only contributes towards major health issues, but it is also destroying the ability of human beings to continue living in many Pacific islands. Some of our islands have already disappeared and many are severely threatened and becoming uninhabitable”, Mr Usamate added.

He highlighted the impact that climate change was having on the Pacific in terms of ocean acidification, rising sea levels, food security, the rising incidences of vector borne diseases, respiratory diseases, psychosocial impacts, and even its impact on the already huge NCD crisis in the Pacific.

Mr Usamate said, “Climate change is affecting the ability of our health systems to respond to the crisis. One severe event can wipe out most of the Health infrastructure in a small Pacific Island nation”.

He informed the meeting of the two category 5 cyclones that had struck the Pacific in 2015 and 2016. This had never happened before. In Fiji’s case, TC Winston affected 41% of the population and destroyed or damaged about 25% of all health facilities.

Mr Usamate shared very strong views on the importance of having access to climate funds, which has remained a challenge for middle-income countries like Fiji who do have access to these climate funds.

“Without access to such funds, Pacific Island countries are hampered in their ability to adapt to the impacts of Climate Change on our health facilities and systems”.

The Hon Minister for Health & Medical Services also thanked all the members of the Commonwealth who helped Fiji during TC Winston, and stressed that the impact of climate change on health in the Pacific. He emphasized that it should be part of the Commonwealth Health Ministers statement to the World Health Assembly.

Fiji has been represented by a three-member team at the World Health Assembly lead by the Minister for Health & Medical Services, Hon. Jone Usamate, National Adviser NCD Dr Isimeli Tukana and the Director Nursing Services, Mrs Silina Waqa Ledua.