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Healthy city is a global initiative that is currently been implemented by 1000 cities across the globe. It engages local governments in health development through a process of political commitment, institutional change, capacity-building, partnership-based planning and innovative projects.

The primary goal of the WHO Healthy Cities Network is to put health high on the social, economic and political agenda of city governments.

Health is the business of all sectors, and local governments are in a unique leadership position, with power to protect and promote their citizens’ health and well-being.

Suva was declared a healthy city in 2011, and since then have been partnering with all key stakeholders in implementing activities that sets itself as a platform for addressing NCD.

Tobacco smoke is the leading single cause of death globally and any decision for cessation will increase longevity and quality of life.

This declaration coincides with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) meeting that will be convened in Nadi from Monday next week for all the Asian Pacific region and places Suva City high up on the recognition list among similar cities implementing the same around the globe.

The Tobacco Degree 2010 and the Tobacco Regulation 2012 sets the platform for further enhancing the tobacco free initiatives and provides the opportunity for the MOH to work closely with the Council on the same (Tobacco Free Program).

This is the first of a series of phases in the declaration process, declaring most places in the Suva CBD smoke free which includes (Terry Walk, Ivi Triangle, Handy Craft Centre, Market, Bus Stand, etc).

Consecutive phases will see further work around the construction of smoking booths as a requirement under the current tobacco legislation, and further progressing the initiative to see that Suva City becomes the first ever city in the region to be SMOKE FREE.

FIJI SOCIETY OF MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIST COUNCIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2014

Distinguished Participants
Good Morning
I am delighted to be with you all today.
Medical Imaging is an integral part of modern day healthcare delivery. This is more so in the Area of Maternal and Child Health in this day and age.

Fiji Has moved forward dramatically in this area in the last 5 years. With improved quality of ultrasound technology, computerized axial tomography and more recently MRI, Fiji is well equipped to meet the challenges of reducing maternal & Child morbidity and mortality as an international commitment to our MDG’s.

As the World plans ahead towards the Post 2015 Development agenda it is pragmatic to address this topic nationally and to review our gaps and challenges. Strategies for the next 15 years in the Post 2015 Development Agenda are now needed collectively. Socio-Economic development is underpinned on a positive health and educational platform.

Health delivery cannot suffice on just efficient clinical skills alone any more. Technological advances will assist in earlier diagnosis and likewise Clinical/Surgical intervention will optimize outcomes in the area of MCH.

Traditionally when Ultrasound was introduced in Fiji with the support of the Fiji Medical Association fund raising, the scepticism was keen to advise caution. That was also a feature when CT Scans and more recently MRI was introduced by government. Although the steady March on improved technological applications will need its checks and balances we must grow with the technology.

Fiji as the largest Pacific Small Island Development States (PSIDS) has great potential for growth and development in “ Health Tourism”. Not developing our health services is definitely not an option but a deterrent to progressing health care delivery.

The issues of Medical Imaging in Fiji currently is to train and retain our younger technologists and professionals in Imaging services. There is a greater need to address distribution and equity of manpower as we rationalize the workforce ie: with new health facilities being established in the Divisions and subdivisions. This is being undertaken at Ministry of Health.

A greater degree of specialization is in progress with Echocardiography, and the training of technologists in CT Angiography, CT using multi-slicing, MRI techniques and soon Radio-technology. All phases of these processes are in progress with the support of our External partners including the Sahyadri Hospital (Fiji) Group and College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Any government will need to see efficiency ingrained into service delivery. We cannot see “Wet film” “Chemical” outages and service disruptions.
The system of procurement, distribution and storage remains in your hemisphere. We can address these simple issues at operational level and must stop the blame game with FPBS. Work ethos, professionalism must be addressed at the business end of your AGM.

Also addressing the need for a Structured Continuing Professional Education Programme now is long overdue, under the 2009 Radiation Decree.

In Conclusion

I wish you well for 2014 and trust that your meeting today will add value to your professional life.

Minister for Health – Dr. Neil Sharma

HEALTH MINISTER’S ADDRESS AT USP CLEANUP LAUNCH AND CAMPAIGN

The Vice Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra
Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Esther Willams
USP staff and Students
And invited guests

Good afternoon to you all,

I must say that it is indeed encouraging to have the University of the South Pacific on board in this fight against dengue.

By now you all must be aware of the gravity of dengue in our Country. We have recorded a total of 11,356 suspected cases and 13 reported dengue deaths. These figures are alarming and have triggered great concerns.

The Health Ministry has continued to work effectively at addressing the dengue fever outbreak. Our health facilities and staff have been strained through this dengue outbreak but remain undaunted in providing essential health services to the public.

Dengue is transmitted from person to person by the bite of an infected mosquito. We continue to remind the public that there is no cure or specific treatment for dengue fever. It is appropriate to say that “Prevention is better than cure”. Hence the need to destroy dengue mosquito breeding places immediately.

For this reason it is necessary to engage in cleaning up our surroundings by getting rid of any receptacles that contains stagnant water. This includes discarding tryes and drums, apart from the coconut shells, cans, tins, white goods and so forth.

Over the past 2 weeks, the Health Ministry along with Public Service Commission has launched a National Cleanup Campaign to destroy mosquito breeding places. This campaign is ongoing and the Health Ministry remains appreciative of the support received from the Government, government ministry’s, stakeholders, partners and communities.

We have received successful reports of the cleanup from as far as Rotuma and Taveuni apart from the cleanups being conducted within our localities.

Your participation, the University of the South Pacific in this ongoing cleanup campaign shows your commitment and concern in effectively and actively participating in the fight against dengue.
We continue to allow dengue cases and deaths to increase because we allow and provide dengue mosquito’s a place to breed.

As a student or lecturer, falling sick with dengue is the last thing you would want to happen. Especially when there is a cost involved, time, resources, fall back from studies, which contribute to the overall performance as a student or lecturer, and ultimately to the University and at large our economy.

It is high time that we all take responsibility in destroying and removing dengue mosquito’s before another loved one falls victim to the dengue virus.

With these words I wish you all a successful and blessed day ahead.

Thank you
Dr. Neil Sharma – Minister for Health – Fiji

COMMISSIONING OF COLONIAL WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PROJECTS

Medical Superintendent and Management of CWM Hospital

Senior Health Executives

Representatives of our Public Private Partnerships

Digicel and International Women’s Association

Invited Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am privileged to be with you this morning to officiate at the Commissioning of projects at CWM Hospital.  Health Systems Reform and Strengthening in the last five (5) years has taken on monumental leaps in Fiji.

We had a fragile system with all components in areas of Human Resource (HR), Technology, Infrastructure and pharmaceutical and medical consumables supplies in dire straits.

A multi prongs approach was utilized to short-medium term gains and improvements.

In the area of HRH:  Basic recruitment was increased at both the nursing and medical schools.  Middle level training increased in areas of need.  Overseas experience for postgraduates increased as enhanced cooperation developed in areas of specialist surgery.

Longer term gains will accrue as the Post Graduate programs at Fiji National University’s College, Medicine and Health Science is modernized and adequately manpowered with stronger mentors, teachers and professors.

Technology upgrade in the last five (5) years has seen the introduction of mammogram, CAT, MRI, ultrasound and cardiac echo services being developed with Telemedicine links to overseas partners for 2o opinions if needed.

The Cardiology services is almost complete but no quite seamless, with non-invasive cardiac assessment, angiography, stents, valvoplasty, pacemaker services and open cardiac surgery now undertaken at CWM and Lautoka.

Infrastructure

We note Governments injection of $30million into infrastructural upgrades in 2014 after a process of rationalizing space utilization.

• The East Wing (CWM) is undergoing some very painful modifications.  Shortly the maternity units 1st phase to develop 200 beds, additional delivery suites and operating theatres will be commissioned for 2014 – 2015.
• Our focus is nationwide with nursing stations, health centers, subdivisional hospitals receiving a facelift after decades of in attention.

HRH/Technology and Pharmaceutical/Consumable supplies are being reviewed to optimization.

The Position on Pharmaceutical/Medical Consumables

This is a very complex issue with the global market changing, population movement in country, transportation in/out country of items and changing patterns of prescribing.

Our efficiency levels are must more robust, wastage markedly reduced and better procurement, storage and distribution in place.

• Safe motherhood Initiatives by Digicel (CSR) sees the internal renovations of the maternity unit with improved paintwork, sanitary facilities and equipment donations in progress.

We are very grateful to Digicel for this Corporate Social Responsibility whilst Ministry of Health painted the maternity externally in 2013.

• The Top Kitchen at CWM is no longer an Occupational Health and Safety risk with better facilities, a new head dietitian we expect better quality food for our patients and in house staff.

The principles of salt, sugar and oil consumption, based on NCD Best Buys is being promoted further.

Reform in health care have included changing the laws, establishing Policy, Plans and operational implementation.  The Health Policy, Planning, Budget Analysis Unit and the Wellness Unit stand out as two shining examples.

• Innovation programs include:
• The establishment the Prosthetic Unit for Diabetic and other Amputees.
• The step down Stroke Unit at Tamavua
• The Diabetic Hubs
• The NCD Bus – for outreach
• Revitalization of Community Health Worker Program

As the Country moves for Communicable Diseases focus to Non Communicable Disease we have been eclipsed by this dengue outbreak in 2014.

The messages remain clear that the dengue types outbreak is lethal but preventable if all of society takes responsibility.

The Media can very well play the 4th pillar role of governance and encourage and support positive measures to combat stagnant water accumulation and the destruction of mosquito breeding, rather than create fear and a hype about the fatalities which are very sad events on a daily basis.  Ministry of Health offers regular media conferences and has no political agenda on this issue.

Today we have a mix of achievements to share and demonstrate at CWM Hospital through Public Private Partnership and Corporate Social Responsibility with Ministry of Health.

• The liquid Cytology Analyzer raises our ability to screen up to 50,000 pap smears with our current staff level.  Cancer Screening becomes a lot more robust as a consequence.
• Apart from the HPV vaccine introduce in 2011 with Support of the Government of Australia/Fiji and more recently the trials of V.I.A. and Cyrocautery this analysers will assist positively, hoping to address premature cancer disability and death.
• The Urology Clinic with its modern lithotripter will now address kidney stones without the large incisions of the past and long hospital stays.  The unit will become the startup of a male health unit too.

The top of the range lithotripter and Uro-station have has trial runs and successfully treated patients from Fiji wide destinations in the last six (6) weeks.

Finally:  The Old Oxfam Family Planning Clinic has had an extreme makeover thanks to the Executive and Members of the International Womens Association.  The new IWA Wellness Centre will provide a Central Hub for areas of Womens Health incorporating Advocacy on Family Life, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Family Planning, Cancer Screening and Counselling Services.

Bubbly Mohan and Caroline Rouse stand out as women of diamond substance.  Bright, shining, unbreakable, both have been dug out of the depths of Sri Lanka and Australia to impact the lives of our Fijian women.

Ladies we are indebted to both of you and your executive committee.

They will tell you more of their plans for 2014.

Before I conclude – Many thanks to all our Nursing and Medical Staff for all the effort being put up with the excessive strain of this Dengue outbreak.  Sometimes society kills the messenger and does not heed the message.

We do need to up our “internal” and “external” communication skills in situations of grief, dying and death.

This year we must focus on better “human skills”Customers Focus and ownership of the new services and technology.

To the organizers and participants – Thank you and God Bless.
Dr. Neil Sharma – Minister for Health – Fiji

ADDRESS AT THE FIJI CANCER SOCIETY WEBSITE & RE-BRANDING LAUNCH

It is indeed a pleasure to be here this evening to witness Fiji Cancer Society launches its website alongside rebranding itself.

However more importantly, I am here to address an area of global concern- Cancer.

Cancer, a non communicable disease has become a global epidemic affecting people of all ages. Unfortunately cancer cases in Fiji have steadily increased over the past several years. Cancer is the 3rd most common cause of death in Fiji.

In Fiji, statistics reveal that there is mostly an increasing incidence of breast, cervix and other reproductive tract cancers in women. In men cancers such as prostate, liver, rectum and lung cancer are becoming commoner.

Since 2009 the Health Ministry has made vast improvements in terms of new advocacy and prevention programs.

We have a much more improved national database in collating cancer statistics. We have recently set up a liquid Cytology screening lab and this was preceded by the introduction of HPV virus vaccination initiative supported by the Fiji and Australian Governments. We have in action the V.I.A (Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Cyro-cautery) as cost effective means to treat precancerous lesions on the cervix undergoing trials additionally. A rudimentary Domiciliary Palliative Service is operational in Suva and the West with the support of the Fiji Cancer Society.

Cancer remains an area of grave concern to our Government, the Health Ministry and our Country. As such Ministry of Health has taken the lead role by addressing cancer.

Fiji has become a member state of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and representatives from the International Atomic Energy Commission will be here to assist in the establishment of a cancer hospital.

We are indeed grateful towards the Bainimarama Government for endorsing health ministry submissions made towards the establishment of a Cancer hospital, the first of its kind in the small island states in the pacific region.

Currently all cancer cases are being managed in the 3 divisional hospitals (Oncology Units). The local treatment used is in the form of surgical intervention and limited chemotherapy. Those requiring radiotherapy are referred overseas through Government assistance.

Having a Cancer Hospital will centralize all the relevant treatment and management protocols and provide a serene environment for patients and families.

This cancer hospital will now cater for radio therapy facilities which will reduce the number of overseas referrals and ensure cost savings for government.

The Health Ministry through its Wellness Concept has continuously advocated and created awareness on cancer prevention and control program.

The Health Ministry is working with the International Women Agencies and is the final stages of setting up a wellness center for women in Suva. We are also working in partnership with UNFPA and other agencies towards the setting up of a wellness center in Lautoka.

This center will provide awareness ,information and services to women on sexual, reproductive health, cancer screenings and counseling sessions.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to launch a new website. This website will provide cancer patients and relatives ,patients and the general public information and access to the work that Fiji Cancer Society undertakes.

We continue to support the Fiji Cancer society and encourage transparency, accountability and responsibility towards public funds and charitable work.

The Health Ministry remains committed towards the reduction of cancer morbidity and mortality, improving the survival rates of cancer cases and improving the quality of life of cancer victims.

Thank you!
Dr. Neil Sharma – Minister for Health – Fiji