All posts by superadmin

Emblematic Stories Launched by Assistant Health Minister  

The Hon. Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Mrs Veena Bhatnagar launched UNDP’s project “Emblematic Stories”.

“Emblematic Stories” is a project from SCEFI (Strengthening Citizen Engagement in Fiji Initiative), which over the last 3 years has promoted civic engagement, economic empowerment and natural resource management, women and youth empowerment, and the rights of the disabled and marginalized, through a series of small grants spread throughout the whole country.

Mrs Bhatnahagr expressed gratitude for the assistance the SCEFI program has provided to communities in need. “On behalf of the people of Fiji, I would like to thank UNDP and the European Union for such a constructive program. This kind of grassroots initiative is essential for improving civic engagement and empowering every Fijian. The project also supports efforts towrads mental health and wellbeing”, she said.

Mrs Bhatnagar pointed to the success of the Vuda Teen Mums Project, coordinated by Viseisei Sai Health Centre. None of the grant recipients from the project were able to attend the launch, as they had all successfully gained full-time employment.

“It’s wonderful to see the success of the Teen Mums project, and witness what a difference it has made in empowering lives and creating livelihoods”, Mrs Bhatnagar added.

Representatives for the grantees include Lionel from Youth Champs for Mental Health, Salochna from the Naari Shakti Women’s club, and Ana Maria from the Pacific Center for Peacebuilding, who shared stories of how the grants helped empower their communities.

US Navy donates equipment to strengthen mosquito survelliance

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has received 10 microscopes and surveillance equipment from the US Navy to assist health staff prevent emerging preventable diseases

This equipment will be used to monitor the density and distribution of mosquitoes in the divisions and subsequently facilitate control interventions against vector-borne diseases.

Mosquito-borne diseases place a burden on health facilities, health supplies and the workforce as well as having an adverse impact on Fiji’s economy, tourism and community stability.

Mr Usamate acknowledged the US Navy for this timely donation and said that this will enable the health authorities to work more efficiently in identifying cases of mosquito-borne diseases.

“We are extremely blessed with the donations and with the technical experts who had been mentoring our team and Vector Surveillance and Control capacity development program”.

Mr Usamate added that prevailing trends suggests that cases of dengue are likely to rise, therefore urgent action is needed now for its prevention and control.

(tattooremovalportlandor.com)

Health Minister opens medical conference

The Minister for Health and Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate officially opened the 58th Fiji Medical Association conference last week, as medical officers from around the country gathered together to discuss concerns raised on disaster management and patient care.

At the height of disasters, the Health Ministry works behind the scenes to provide essential quality health care, and it was an opportune time to meet and discuss with the medical professionals how to address such situations before the next cyclone season begins.

Mr Usamate reminded the doctors on their roles as strong and effective leaders to implement strategic developments in the delivery of healthcare services.

“Strong leadership is vital for any development and I urge you to uphold the vision and the values of the ministry and be a role model to your subordinates, and continue to serve the people who look to you for medical assistance”, Mr Usamate said.

Approximately 150 doctors from around the country attended the conference and deliberated on improving and strengthening the medical services mainly focused on disasters.

Health Minister opens medical conference

The Minister for Health and Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate officially opened the 58th Fiji Medical Association conference last week, as medical officers from around the country gathered together to discuss concerns raised on disaster management and patient care.

At the height of disasters, the Health Ministry works behind the scenes to provide essential quality health care, and it was an opportune time to meet and discuss with the medical professionals how to address such situations before the next cyclone season begins.

Mr Usamate reminded the doctors on their roles as strong and effective leaders to implement strategic developments in the delivery of healthcare services.

“Strong leadership is vital for any development and I urge you to uphold the vision and the values of the ministry and be a role model to your subordinates, and continue to serve the people who look to you for medical assistance”, Mr Usamate said.

Approximately 150 doctors from around the country attended the conference and deliberated on improving and strengthening the medical services mainly focused on disasters.

Local testing for Mosquito viruses.

Plans are underway for testing Zika virus locally as medical laboratory staff undergo extensive training at the centre for Communicable Centre for Disease Control (CCDC) in Tamavua.

This was revealed to the Minister for Health and Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate as he met the trainees during his visit to the centre at Mataika house.

Endemic to the Pacific, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever remain a threat to Fiji, especially with the emergence of new diseases such as Chikungunya and Zika.

In order to improve the management of such diseases, three CCDC laboratory staff are currently undergoing extensive training in conducting PCR testing for the three most common mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika, under the guidance of a senior scientist from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

Mr Usamate thanked Ms Debbie Phillips for providing the much-needed training to local staff which will enhance the capacity of the staff and reduce testing costs.

“On behalf of the Ministry I thank you for your efforts in training the staff and I am optimistic that we will be able to continue the work in a effective and efficient manner to assist our people”, he said.

Local nurses get training in Japan.

A team of ten nurses including clinical nurses, midwives and zone nurses left Fiji last week to undergo three weeks of training in Japan on the prevention and proper management of non-communicable diseases.

Through this program the nurses are expected to gain necessary skills, ideas and knowledge to provide more comprehensive treatment to patients, as well as train their colleagues for capacity building locally.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation for the participants, Deputy Secretary Public Health of the Health Ministry Dr Eric Rafaai congratulated the nurses for being chosen for the program, at the same time reminding them of the opportunity to upskill their knowledge.

“I congratulate you all for being chosen to receive this training but let’s not forget the task ahead to effectively address the increasing cases on NCDs in the country” Dr Rafaai said.

“We have a NCD crisis in Fiji and I urge you to be focused in your mission as what you learn will be applied in the local context”, he added.

The Resident Rep for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr Hiroyuki Sawada highlighted that this initiative has been an ongoing since 2014, and 600 nurses have been trained under the program so far.

Dr Rafaai thanked JICA for facilitating the program which has benefitted the people of Fiji and enhanced human resource development.