Category Public Advisory

Health Minister commends staff

Health Minister Jone Usamate speaks to staff in Rakiraki.

The Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon Jone Usamate commended the health staff in the Tavua and Rakiraki health subdivision for maintaining clean health facilities and remain customer focused as he continued his routine visits to monitor the health service delivery.

“I thank you for taking this initiative in ensuring that we maintain our health facilities as best as we can as this reflects the commitment of our ministry to a better service delivery.”

Mr Usamate also reminded health staff that providing the best health services to the people should remain the priority and there should be no compromise to that.

We are paid by the taxpayers and they expect a better healthcare service therefore we should be at our best and our target should be to provide maximum customer satisfaction”, Mr Usamate said.

Mr Usamate also highlighted staff on the civil service reforms now being implemented by the Ministry to maintain an efficient workforce to enhance the services for the benefit of all people.

From Left Sahaydri Specialist Hospital DirectorPROF Mannu Munibhargav, Health Minister Jone Usamate,Durdamya Munibhargav and sports Minister Laisenia Tuitobou at CWM hospital.

Screening is very important to determine your health status and this will help you make appropriate decisions to maintain a long and healthy life.

This was revealed by the Minister for Health & Medical Services Hon Jone Usamate as he visited the CWM hospital where patients were screened for cardiology, advanced orthopaedic and oncology by the visiting medical team from India.

Fiji has recorded a rise in Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) therefore people should be aggressive in maintaining healthy lifestyles and get screened periodically to monitor their health status.

Mr Usamate said that people with such medical conditions usually present late to health facilities when they are on the end stage of the illness therefore it becomes very difficult to assist them.

“The Ministry of Health and Medical Services in conjunction with its developing partners tirelessly creates opportunities for such medical screening programs and I urge people to take advantage of such programs and get screened”, said Mr Usamate.

The Sahaydri speciality hospitals (Fiji) in partnership with Ministry of health facilitated a team of specialists from India to provide free medical screenings at various health facilities in Fiji this week.

Health Minister welcomes visiting Cultural Group

Health Minister Jone Usamate present a gift to the lead vocalist of the Indian Cultural Group Mr Sanjeev Abahykar

The Minister for Health & Medical Services Hon. Jone Usamate officially welcomed the Indian Cultural group who are in the country to perform Indian classical cultural programs.

Speaking to the audience at the event Mr Usamate said such cultural shows are very important to make people realize the need to preserve their culture and identity.

“The cultural show tonight will benefit all of us as we value our cultures and traditions alike and it is important that we hold them on top as they remind us of our cherished values”, said Mr Usamate.

He further said that the danger of losing our culture is inevitable if we do not continue to fertilize our culture into our lives and our families.

Meanwhile the accompanying medical team consisting of super specialists on cardiology, advanced orthopedic and oncology from Devyani Hospital in India have completed the screenings in Savusavu, Suva and Labasa.

NURSES REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR SERVICE TO FIJIANS

Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Jone Usamate reminded nurses of the value of their roles and services provided to the public.

This was highlighted during the Fiji College of Nursing 4th Annual General meeting in Suva today.

“Nurses are the backbone of the Ministry of Health & Medical Services and the Nursing Training Institutions including the stakeholders and donor agencies have contributed to the professional development of Fijian nurses,” Minister Usamate said.

“The Ministry is now rolling out the Civil Service Reform which the Fijian Government has placed as a priority on its agenda. It is an element of the modernization of our country. I trust that you will embrace the settings of change.”

Around 60 nurses from around the country attended the AGM and Minister Usamate is adamant that through this meetings nurses will be able to improve in their roles to serve all Fijians.

Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Jone Usamate together with the Fiji Cancer and WOWS Kids today signed the World Cancer Declaration (WCD), with the goal of reducing preventable mortality rates amongst cancer patients.

Fiji has already made several commitments to reducing the burden of cancer, such as the World Health Assembly resolutions WHA58.22 (Cancer prevention and control), WPR/RC62.R2 (Expanding and Intensifying Non communicable Disease Prevention and Control), and adopting a global target of a 25% reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025.

As cancer is the third leading cause of death in Fiji, a reduction in mortality will contribute largely to these commitments. Additionally, reductions in morbidity that can be achieved by comprehensive treatment (requiring radiotherapy and palliative care/rehabilitation services), and reducing stigma surrounding cancer (leading to earlier detection) will have a positive effect on productivity.

“Fiji’s approach in fulfilling the targets of the WCD will be documented in clear strategies for reducing mortality and morbidity in the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP; in draft) and the country action plan we already have with the UICC to improve clinical systems, services and training,” Minister Usamate said.

“Signing the WCD is a further way to indicate to the UICC, as well as our other international partners and the public that Fiji remains committed to reducing the burden of cancer.”

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services remains fully committed to effectively reduce the burden of cancer after officially becoming a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2015.