The World Bank – Fiji COVID-19 Emergency Response Project Virtual Implementation Support Mission kicks off today Monday, October 25th at 2.00 pm. It started with PS Health & Medical Services Opening Remarks before the Project Manager presented on the progress update of the project. This was followed by the presentation from General Manager IMT on the Government of Fiji’s COVID Response Unit. The meeting will finish on Thursday, October 28, 2021.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services acknowledges passengers who have made contact with us in regard to their whereabout and health status.
We still urgently needs to get in touch with the 6 remaining passengers who were on flights with as well in direct contact with an airline attendant who was the first case of COVID-19 in Fiji to call 2219906 or email on fijihealthimt@gmail.com
These flights are:
This is a follow up from the Prime Minister’s statement on the contact tracing exercise done by the Ministry’s contact team.
We look forward to receiving further updates on the following people:
| No | Name | Last Known Address | Division |
| 1. | Tiare Marinoa | Lautoka | Lautoka |
| 2. | Motikaoiaki Paimanula | Lautoka | Lautoka |
| 3. | Sarita- was in the Zumba class on 17 March | Lautoka | Lautoka |
| 4. | Taniela Rovini | Tomuka | Lautoka |
| 5. | Vitalina Nadurutalo | Waiyavi | Lautoka |
| 6. | Pietersen Roell | Club Fiji Resort, Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi | Nadi |
The Ministry wishes advice that these passengers are within the 14 days incubation period of being in contact with the index case for Fiji and therefore need to be self-quarantined. The Ministry further wishes to advise that these passengers are not patients but persons of interest and those who require observation to ensure that there is no spread of potential COVID-19 in the community.
This contact tracing is a vital part of our containment measures and in order to do this, we need your support to contact us immediately.
We are appealing to the members of the public to get in touch with their friends and families who have been on the abovementioned flights to contact us even if they are not showing any symptoms.
The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Fiji.
Yesterday, 18 February 2020, a 9-year-old boy was admitted and isolated at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH). Whilst the patient’s symptoms make it unlikely that he has COVID-19, as a precautionary measure the patient has been admitted, and laboratory tests are being undertaken to determine the cause of his illness and rule out COVID-19.
The patient has a recent international travel history, transiting via Singapore en-route to Fiji. Upon his and his family’s arrival in Nadi International Airport on 16 February 2020, the family was screened by the Ministry of Health team and cleared as none showed any symptoms of illness. All other members of the family are currently well, however have been instructed to remain at home until laboratory results are available. In addition, all precautionary public health measures have been taken to ensure that the patient is provided appropriate care, whilst reducing the risk of potential exposure to the virus, if it is confirmed.
The Ministry will provide an update to the public once laboratory test results become available.
As the symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to many other respiratory illnesses (including colds and influenza) it is expected that with time the Ministry will investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to COVID-19. This should not alarm the public, but be an indication of the high level of alertness and precautionary approach the Ministry is taking in response to this global outbreak.
What can you do?
The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to strongly urge the public to not share rumours and misinformation. Just as we did during the measles outbreak the Ministry will inform the public as soon as possible once we have a confirmed case. Use credible sources for information on 2019-nCoV:
Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services website http://www.health.gov.fj/
Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MoHFiji/
WHO website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
How can you prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 and other diseases?
If you have been to mainland China in the last 14 days and develop symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.
The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.
MEDIA RELEASE: 
People of the Dogusu Settlement in the Highlands of Ba and nearby villages can now access piped water after the Health Minister Dr Iferemi Waqainabete officially opened their water project.
The Water project was initiated by the Year 6 Medical students of the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine of the University of Fiji after it was established that the settlement fetched water from contaminated sources for their daily use.
Team Leader Mr Sumeet Pratap highlighted that the water available for the villages was not suitable for consumption as it contained many impurities and this could have had adverse impacts on the health of the people.
“During our initial visit to Dogusu Settlement, we found out that there was unsafe drinking water available for the community and we then worked with the relevant authorities to address the issue and this is the result of our continued effort to provide safe drinking water to the people.
He further added the water is a basic commodity for all and every individual should be able to access safe water which will eventually reduce the risks of water borne communicable diseases.
Health Minister Dr Waqainabete acknowledged the efforts of the UPSM medical students and highlighted that Government plans to assist all Fijians with the basic needs.
“Government’s Vision remains the same in providing basic amenities such as water to the remote and disadvantaged communities and we will work very closely with the communities in improving the lives of the people”.
The people of Dogusu expressed their sincere gratitude to the medical students and the Health Ministry for a well initiated project that will be of benefit to them.
The Minister for Health and medical services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete welcomed and praised the hardwork of Wheel chair foundation USA while receiving the new 110 wheechairs donation last Friday.
This donation has been spearheaded by Mr Chetan Singh Heyer of the wheelchairfoundation.org of United States of America, former resident of Ba in Fiji, after working closely with Ministry of Health in identifying the need for wheelchairs in the country
To date an accumulated total of 550 wheelchairs has been handed over to Ministry since 2012 and this has been distributed to the Health facilities around the country for patient use and also to identified patients who are in need of such assistance.
While handing over the donation Mr Heyer expressed his satisfaction for being able to arrange for this assistance for the needy people of Fiji.
“This will give them mobility to move around and be productive and they do not have to depend on others. My message to them is to use the wheelchairs wisely”, Mr. Heyer said.
“I would like to thank the following people, Dr. Waqainabete, Current Minister of Health and Medical Services for accepting the current 110 wheelchairs, Dr. Neil Sharma, former Minister of Health Fiji, who arranged and pioneered this wheel chair project allowing medical aid to arrive tax free and storage till distributed. Jeremaia Mataika of Fiji Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Service Centre, Dr. Santokh Singh, Auckland NZ, Rotary and Lions Clubs, Lords Jeweler’s, Vodafone and many supporters in USA and Fiji”.
Hon. Waqainabete thanked each and every one who were involved in this project and assured them that the medical staff will take utmost care of these wheel chairs as this will assist the health department for many years.