Last Updated on 3 years by Publishing Team
Communicable Diseases (CD)
The core functions of Communicable Disease program are:
- To set up an effective surveillance system for the controlling of communicable diseases in Fiji and where directed in the region.
- Provide quality public health
- To promote and protect the health of the people of Fiji in regards to defined communicable diseases.
- aboratory services for diagnosis, confirmation and surveillance for Fiji.
- Develop, support and sustain communication networks between other government departments and stakeholders on advice and training on communicable diseases.
- Support communicable disease quality assurance programs for Fiji and the region.
- Provide advisory services to national authorities on CD.
- Conduct relevant research.
- Collaborate in relevant CD programs and projects that are mutually beneficial and consistent with our terms of references.
- Provide specialist advice on the clinical management of LF patients.
- Provide quality public health services for the designated infectious diseases under PPHSN.
Laboratory
The National Public Health Laboratory in its efforts to support CD prevention in addition to routine services it delivered identified the following activities as priority during 2013.
Recent progress includes:
| Activities | Status |
| Rapid HIV confirmatory testing | New HIV Testing Algorithm Developed and endorsed by SPC |
| National Quality Standards for Health Laboratory | Two assessments carried out by WHO and CDC to establish whether the lab met requirements of NQSHL, staff working on gaps identified by the assessors. |
| Dengue and Leptospirosis testing | Dengue and Leptospirosis PCR testing conducted in collaboration with Institute of Pasture |
| Mass Drug Administration Coverage | Completion of 2012 MDA programme and calculation of coverage for MDA. |
| Spot checks to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis | Spot checks in Taveuni Subdivision, Northern Division Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS), Central and Eastern Division C Survey |
Environmental Health (EH)
The Environmental Health Unit is focused on providing a well-informed population with integrated health information to improve their standards of living, manage their health and well-being, and provide a clear link with people and communities for efficient delivery of environmental health services. Therefore, the leadership of the Unit will provide a platform to translate this integrated information into practice which will includes strategic goals and focus areas.
The Environmental Health Unit is also responsible for the promotion and protection of public health from environmental health risk factors such as pollution, unsanitary conditions, poor water supply qualities, illegal developments, improper waste management practices, breeding of disease vectors, poor food quality.
The following core legislations are used by EHO’s:
The Environmental Health Unit is the primary government organization in Fiji that are advisors at national, divisional and district level on environmental and anthropogenic matters that constitutes a risk to human health. In addition, the core functions of the EH services is to protect, advocate and facilitate health supportive environments.
The current EH administrative and enforcement roles are delivered through the following key result areas (KRA’s):
- Environmental Risk and Health Protection
- Pollution Control/Public Health Nuisance
- Health promotion
- Water & Sanitation and Hygiene
- Food Safety and Quality Control
- Vector Borne Disease Surveillance and Control
- International Quarantine and Port Health Services
- Legal Enforcement
- Health License/Permits
- Central Board of Health Services
- Any Other Services pertaining to Environmental Health