MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES – PRESS RELEASE
PR 109/25 | Date: 15/12/25
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services acknowledges the recently reported water leak at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) Antenatal Clinic (ANC).
On Monday, December 15, 2025, a water leakage at the ANC was identified, and the Ministry and CWMH management acted immediately to investigate and resolve the issue. The hospital’s maintenance team, under the direction of the medical superintendent, conducted an initial assessment and identified the source of the leakage as an old drainage pipe that had been sealed off during renovations to the maternity washrooms, carried out by an interest group. The seal had loosened over time, causing the water leakage.
Repairs to the broken pipe have been completed, and the ANC area has been cleaned and restored, ensuring the antenatal clinic is safe, functional, and ready to receive patients.
In light of this incident, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, has directed a two-fold action:
A detailed investigation of the incident is conducted to verify the initial findings and the long-term remediation measures required.
A temporary pause on any future renovation work by the contractors involved in the initial washroom project, pending the outcome of the verification process above.
The Ministry of Health reaffirms its unwavering commitment to patient safety and the ongoing improvement of health infrastructure.
We thank the public and our partners for their vigilance and assure all Fijians that the CWM Antenatal Clinic remains a dedicated facility for the care and well-being of mothers and expectant mothers. The ministry regrets any inconvenience caused by this incident to staff and the public.
Public Advisory: Leptospirosis Warning for the Northern Division
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is urging the public, particularly communities in the Northern Division, to take immediate precautionary measures following recent deaths associated with leptospirosis.
The Ministry stresses that “although current leptospirosis case reports may be low, it is still a deadly disease and therefore the need for public awareness and prevention measures.” The recent fatalities highlight the ongoing risk, especially after periods of heavy rain and flooding and with these weather conditions more cases are to be expected.
Leptospirosis is preventable and treatable if detected early. MHMS urges everyone to take precautions seriously and seek medical care immediately if unwell.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all.
Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.
How is it Spread?
The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks, even months. Many different kinds of wild and domestic animals carry the bacterium.
These can include, but are not limited to:
Cattle
Pigs
Rats
Horses
Dogs
Mongoose
When these animals are infected, they may have no symptoms of the disease. Infected animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while, for a few months up to several years.
Humans can become infected through:
Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals
Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking water or food contaminated by the leptospirosis bacteria can also cause infection.
Who is at risk?
While in other parts of the world leptospirosis is mostly seen in people who work on farms, or work closely with animals, in Fiji leptospirosis is also a more common infection seen in rural and urban areas. With increases in severe weather events due to climate change, leptospirosis is becoming even more prevalent than in the past.
Anyone can get leptospirosis if they are exposed to the urine of infected animals, but in Fiji the disease is most commonly seen in people between the age of adolescence to 45, as this is the age group more likely to be active outdoors e.g. swimming in rivers, wading in muddy areas. In Fiji, the rainy season also increases the risk of leptospirosis, due to higher rainfall, which increases the risk of contaminated animal urine washing into waterways and mud/soil.
What are the Symptoms?
In humans, leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
High fever
Headache
Chills
Muscle aches
Vomiting
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Red eyes
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhoea
Rash
Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. In addition, some infected persons may have no symptoms at all.
The time between a person’s exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days – 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases;
1. After the first phase (with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhoea) the patient may recover for a time but become ill again.
2. If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person becomes severely ill, may have a cough and coughing up blood, blood in the urine, with kidney or liver failure or meningitis. This phase is also called Weil’s disease.
The illness lasts from a few days to 3 weeks or longer. Without proper treatment, recovery may take several months. People who develop severe leptospirosis are at risk of death.
If you or anyone you know has any of the above symptoms, you should seek urgent medical attention.
How do I reduce my risk of catching Leptospirosis?
The risk of acquiring leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine or eliminating contact with potentially infected animals.
Protective clothing or footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities.
To avoid becoming infected:
You must store your food safely away from animals, including rats
You must always wear protective clothing and protective footwear outside of your home, especially around animals and agricultural areas
Never swim in contaminated waters
How is it treated?
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics administered by a doctor, which should be given early in the course of the disease.
Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms. Persons with severe leptospirosis will need intensive care in a hospital.
MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICESHON. DR RATU ATONIO RABICI LALABALAVUKeynote Address for World AIDS Day 2025VENUE : Sukuna Park, Suva DATE : 1st December, 2025
TIME : 12.00pm
The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji –His Excellency Mr. Peter Roberts;
The Resident Representative for the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji – Ms. Munkhtuya Altangerel (Tuya);
The UNICEF Pacific Representative – Mr. Hamish Young
UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
CSO – Reps from STRUMPHET
People Living with HIV Representative – Mr Joeli Colati;
Distinguished Guests;
Members of the media;
Bula vinaka and a warm welcome to you all.
Today, Fiji joins the world to mark World AIDS Day 2025 a day to honour lives lost, stand with people living with HIV, and recommit to ending HIV as a public health threat.
The global theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” calls on us to rebuild and strengthen systems disrupted by pandemics, economic pressures, and social inequities.
Here in Fiji, we express this through our national theme:
“Healthy Islands, Healthy Futures: Ending HIV Transmission Together.”
This theme reflects our belief that every Fijian deserves access to safe, quality, people-centred services and that HIV, STIs and blood-borne viruses must not determine the futures of our young people.
This year marks a turning point. In early 2025, Fiji declared a national HIV outbreak and adopted a National Outbreak Response Plan, led by the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce and the newly established SRH and HIV Unit a decisive political response to a rapidly escalating HIV crisis.
To back this with real action, the Fiji Government allocated $10 million to the HIV response; the largest domestic investment in Fiji’s HIV history. This funding is now driving:
Human resources across prevention, diagnostics, treatment and data,
Programming and outreach to communities, and
Procurement, ensuring a more reliable supply of essential commodities.
This investment sends a clear signal: Fiji is taking ownership of its HIV response and is not relying solely on external partners.
We also acknowledge the critical support of our development partners, who join us today to help celebrate and further commit to our national response.
Firstly, during this year’s World AIDS Day Celebration, the Government of Australia, through DFAT, is handing over approximately FJ $1.6 million in biomedical equipment and life-saving commodities, including rapid test kits, antiretroviral medicines, viral load consumables, and prevention supplies. This investment strengthens diagnostics and treatment continuity across the country and complements Fiji’s own $10 million allocation.
We further acknowledge UNICEF for its leadership and technical support in Elimination of Vertical Transmission (EVT). Their partnership has enabled the development of Fiji’s first-ever Guidelines for the Triple Elimination of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B, helping protect mothers and babies and moving us closer to a future where no child in Fiji acquires an infection that could have been prevented.
Together, these investments reflect a powerful model: domestic leadership backed by strategic global partnership.
Despite progress, HIV diagnoses in Fiji continue to rise. Too many people are still being diagnosed late, when they are already unwell. This tells us we must:
Expand testing and early detection,
Strengthen prevention, including condoms, PrEP and harm-reduction approaches,
Ensure everyone diagnosed can start and stay on treatment, and
Address the intertwined epidemics of STIs, hepatitis and other blood-borne infections.
Our theme, Healthy Islands, Healthy Futures, must translate into action.
For Government, that means fully utilising our $10 million allocation, strengthening workforce capacity, laboratories and supply chains, and ensuring that policies and laws support, not hinder, access to services.
For partners, it means aligning support with national priorities and continuing to accelerate innovation and community-led approaches.
For individuals, it means taking charge of your health:
Protect yourself, protect your future get informed, get tested, and use prevention tools.
Use condoms consistently with all sexual encounters.
If you are an intravenous drug user, use sterile needles and syringes, don’t share needles and syringes and drug mixing equipment.
For those who are tested, and are positive for HIV, commence HIV treatment as soon-as-possible and stay on treatment for life. Treatment is free in Fiji and we are increasing the number of clinics in the country, who can provide treatment and care for you and your family.
As we commemorate World AIDS Day 2025, let us honour the lives lost, support those living with HIV, and stand with the health workers and communities leading this response.
Fiji has taken bold steps, declaring an outbreak, investing $10 million, strengthening diagnostics with support from Australia, and advancing the elimination of vertical transmission with UNICEF.
But our journey continues.
Let us move forward with determination, unity, and hope building Healthy Islands and Healthy Futures, and working toward a Fiji where HIV transmission is no longer a threat to any family, any community, or any child.
274/2025 Hon. Jone Usamate to ask the Minister for Health and Medical Services – Can the Minister update Parliament on what are Health Inspectors doing about ensuring that the meat sold in supermarkets meets quality criteria.
Oral Response:
Mr. Speaker,
I am thankful for this opportunity to update the Parliament on the crucial role of our health inspectors in ensuring that the meat sold in supermarkets meets the established quality criteria.
The roles of the health inspectors are stipulated under the Food Safety Act 2003 and the Food Safety Regulations 2009, alongside relevant Codex-based national standards. These laws and standards aim to safeguard public health by ensuring that meat products are safe, wholesome, and of high quality.
To achieve this, health inspectors engage in a variety of activities:
Routine Inspection of Supermarkets and Cold Storage Facilities; Health Inspectors from the Ministry and the Municipal Council conduct scheduled and unannounced inspections to verify that all meat products are sourced from approved suppliers, properly labelled, stored at correct temperatures, and displayed in sanitary conditions.
Monitoring of Meat Handling, Processing, and Display; Inspectors check that meat is handled hygienically, free from contamination, and protected from temperature abuse. This includes verification of expiry dates, packaging integrity, and compliance with hygiene protocols by staff.
Verification of Import Compliance; For imported meat products, the Ministry through the Food Unit ensures that all consignments undergo border verification, including document checks, inspection, and sampling when required. This ensures products entering Fiji meet international safety requirements.
Sampling and Laboratory Analysis; When necessary, inspectors collect samples for microbiological and chemical testing to confirm that meat products meet the prescribed standards for safety, quality, and wholesomeness.
Enforcement Actions : In instances of non-compliance, our health inspectors have the authority to take necessary enforcement actions. This may involve issuing improvement notices, seizing unsafe meat, suspending operations, or initiating legal proceedings under the Food Safety Act. Over the last three years, from 2023 to March this year, we have prosecuted 35 cases, issuing fines totalling approximately $25,000. The current Act is quite limited in its scope for penalising offenders, as it does not include provisions for enforcing fixed penalties or spot fines. As a result, cases can only be prosecuted in a court of law, a process that can take months or even years. The Ministry is currently reviewing this Act with the aim of introducing spot fines for these offences.
Number of Prosecuted Cases and Fines:
In the last two years, 35 cases have been prosecuted by health inspectors from both the Health Subdivisions and the Food Unit. The fines incurred total approximately $25,000 and contribute to Consolidated Funds, not directly to the Ministry.
The summary of offences includes:
Operating Without a License (Food Safety Act Schedule 2 – 16(1)(2)): 32 cases were reported against various food premises including coffee shops, takeaways, supermarkets, dairy shops, and street food vendors, leading to fines totaling $20,000.
Selling, Preparing, Packing, or Conveying Food Under Insanitary Conditions (Food Safety Act Schedule 2 – 3(1), 10(1)): 3 cases were identified, further emphasising the need for stringent oversight and adherence to safety standards in retail and catering operations.
I am proud to report that within the last fiscal year alone, we conducted inspections of over 2,600 food establishments. These inspections resulted in the issuance of 372 abatement notices and 6 closing orders, illustrating our commitment to upholding health standards.
Review of Food Safety Act: We are finalising the review processes, which are essential to address emerging risks, evolving food systems, and gaps in regulatory enforcement. It will ensure the legal framework remains fit for purpose, safeguarding public health while supporting economic development.
Capacity Building and Public Awareness: Furthermore, we continue to enhance our inspectors’ training and promote food safety standards through collaboration with food business operators and public awareness campaigns that encourage informed consumer choices.
Moreover, we are revitalizing our joint meat surveillance program with the Ministry of Agriculture, enhancing our oversight of meat safety.
As we look to the future, we are excited about the new laboratory facility at the CDC, which is set to enhance our testing capacity significantly. Achieving ISO standardization and accreditation is a priority as we aim for excellence in food safety testing. Until this is realized, we are grateful for the collaboration with the IAS Lab at the University of the South Pacific and the Koronivia Lab.
Additionally, we recognize the importance of training our Health Inspectors as prosecutors. With support from the World Health Organization, we will resume vital training sessions this December, facilitated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Planned Surveillance Operations: Our approach includes integrated surveillance operations and collaboration with local municipalities, the Fijian Commerce Commission, and other stakeholders to strengthen our food safety oversight.
In summary, our health inspectors are fully engaged in a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the meat available in supermarkets meets rigorous quality criteria. We remain committed to protecting public health and ensuring the highest standards of food safety.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the support of this Parliament as we strive to uphold the health and well-being of our citizens.
APPENDIX
No Of Prosecuted Cases & Fines
A Total of 35 Cases Prosecuted by the Health Inspectors in the Health Subdivisions and the Food Unit and this started in the last two years
Fines approximately at $25,000.00 which goes to the Consolidated Funds and not to the Ministry as per summary blow:.
Type of Offense Committed
No of Cases
Types of Food Premises Prosecuted
Approximate Fines Collected
Food Safety Act Schedule 2 -16(1) (2) Operating Without a License
Food Safety Act Schedule 2 – 3 (1), 10(1) Selling, preparing, packing, keeping or conveying for sale any food under insanitary conditions that might render the food injurious or dangerous to health;
3
Retail & Catering Supermarkets
Cases per Division
Subdivision
No of Food Cases
Central Division(including Food Unit)
29
Northern Division Surveillance
3
Western Division
3
Eastern Division
–
No Of Surveillance Conducted Last Fiscial Year
Operation Type
No of Food Establishment Inspected
No of Abatement Notice Issued
Closing Order Issued
Central Division
1322
298
1
Northern Division Surveillance
757
35
2
Western Division
587
66
5
Eastern Division
34
6
–
TOTAL
2630
372
6
Note: Surveillance doesn’t cover Licensing Inspection, Restaurant Grading and Annual Food Auditing for Food Manufacturing Premises.
Event: Official Remarks at the Opening of the 2025 Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) Conference
Venue: Holiday Inn, Suva
Date: Monday 24th November 2025
Time: 09.30am
Salutation:
The Chair of STAR, Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, Mr Paula Cirikiyasawa
Representatives of the Government of Fiji
Delegates from the Pacific Community
Representatives of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
Members of the Circum-Pacific Council
Partners from universities, research institutions and development organisations
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my honour to welcome you to the STAR 2025 Conference. For our guests from the Pasifika and those that travelled across the globe to be here this morning, bula vina’a, welcome again to your island home, Fiji.
This gathering brings together the people who have supported this network through its early work, its challenges, and its return to active meetings. Your presence reflects the strength of the Science, Technology and Resources Network and the significant role it continues to play across our region.
Ladies & Gentlemen, when STAR was formed in 1984 through the collaboration of the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, the objective was to create a forum where scientific work could be aligned with Pacific developmental priorities.
For almost 30 years, STAR met annually and contributed to research, cooperation and practical solutions across the region. These meetings built working relationships that helped countries through periods of change, turbulence and uncertainty.
STAR hibernated after 2010 and slowed progress even though its value remained clear to many partners. Renewed interest saw STAR dominating the essence of discussions at the Regional Geoscience Steering Group Meeting in April 2015 confirming the regional interest to restore the network and “make it fit for purpose”. The subsequent meeting in Nadi in June 2016 marked that warranted return. Further meetings, including the virtual session during COVID-19, showed the commitment of individuals and institutions to maintain STAR’s presence.
For me personally, for any professional network to thrive, it must be relevant, dynamic to navigate the global headwinds and build in-depth capacity for sustainability.
Across the Pacific, there is strong support for STAR to continue. Countries have highlighted the importance of this forum in rebuilding partnerships and peer exchanges suitable for the Pacific context. Discussions have also focused on strengthening STAR’s administrative and financial independence.
This year’s conference, hosted by Fiji with support from the mining, exploration and quarries sector, is centred on the theme “Connecting the Pacific Islands Through Science and Technology.” This theme reflects our shared direction. Science and technology support learning, inform planning and deepens understanding of our environment. They also strengthen cooperation between countries. Each nation brings experience that contributes to regional progress, and each benefit from shared knowledge.
We acknowledge the Circum-Pacific Council for the special session on Urban Sea Systems, and the University of Queensland, the Pacific Community and the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) for the session on Mineral Security in the Pacific.
The conference materials booklet contains abstracts that reflect the range of work being presented this week. Over the next five days here at the Holiday Inn in Suva, you will hear from scientists, practitioners and partners who continue to expand the knowledge reservoir supporting the evolution of science-policy interface in the Pacific.
The Day Field Trip on Maritime and Coastal Infrastructure in the Suva Area will take participants from Waiqanake to the Kinoya Outfall. This visit will highlight significant elements of our maritime environment and the infrastructure that supports our future needs. It will also provide an opportunity for informal exchange.
The STAR Steering Committee has prepared a programme and field trip that support practical learning and encourage future cooperation. Again, I would like to reiterate the Fiji Government’s support and its continued commitment to host the STAR 2025 Conference, but also in years to come.
As we begin this programme, I encourage all participants to engage fully and contribute openly.
STAR has shown its value during different periods of regional change. With sustained effort, it will remain a forum that supports scientific advancement and informed decision-making for the benefit of our communities.
Thank you for being here. I wish you a productive week and look forward to the outcomes of your discussions.
