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Community Health Worker Program strengthened

The Community Health Worker program in Fiji has been further strengthened today by the development of two training manuals and a Community Health Worker (CHW) policy. This was revealed by the Hon. Minister for Health & Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate.

The policy, developed for Community Health Workers, will provide structure, systems and processes that are vital in bridging social and economic gaps in community settings.

The module training manuals will be used by officers at the primary health care level to train CHWs.

Mr Usamate said, “The program was initially set up to address the shortage of health professionals, but now plays a crucial role in broadening access to other services including health services in remote and hard to reach areas”.

“Their inclusion in the health system has evidently led to improved health outcomes, especially in the area of child health”.

Community Health Workers are an important link between the formal health system and the community. They are members of communities who are chosen by their leadership or organization to promote wellness, healthy practices and health seeking behaviors.

The Health Ministry is committed to the CHW program which is also supported by the Fiji Health Sector Support Program. Development has been progressive in areas such as core competency, safe motherhood, child health and wellness.

Mr Usamate also said that the role of CHWs is vital to address health priorities for Fiji, which include non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and climate change.

“It is vital to address these issues at community level. Therefore, it is important that they are given the recognition as instruments of change and provided the support to share their knowledge and skills in the community”, Mr Usamate added.

The Hon. Assistant Minister for Health & Medical Services Mrs Veena Bhatnagar has commended the Fiji Pharmaceutical Society at its Annual Conference for convening at a time where there is a need for improvements in delivery of services.

Health receives timely donation from ANZ Bank

The Acting Permanent Secretary for Health & Medical Services Dr Meciusela Tuicakau received a cheque donation of $43,300.00 from ANZ Bank in Suva.

This money was raised by ANZ Bank during “pinktober”, the cancer awareness month that is held every year in October.

Dr Tuicakau said that the Health Ministry is grateful for this support and that the money will go towards Oncology.

Furniture to assist health staff

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services and Diabetes Fiji continue to improve services and facilities for diabetic patients.

6 foot care couches, 5 foot rests and 5 dressing desks were dispatched to health facilities in Sigatoka, Lautoka and Ba.

The furniture is worth $900 and will provide relief to foot care trained nurses attending to diabetic patients.

Nurses in the central and western division have undergone foot care training and have graduated from this program. These nurses are equipped with tool kits also.

The Health Ministry continues to remind the public to ensure that they engage in a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet and getting exercise is one of the simplest ways to prevent diabetes from developing.

Dash for Diabetes a success

The Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Services Mr Jone Usamate was one of 270 active participants in Fiji’s first Dash for Diabetes. The event was held last Saturday in Suva to coincide with World Diabetes Day.

The inaugural 5km fun run, established by the Petero Civoniceva Foundation and supported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, raised money and awareness for the disease which affects almost 1 in 3 Fijians. The event attracted an impressive 270 participants, from serious athletes to families enjoying a day out together. After the race, the runners were entertained by various groups including Lei dancers, Inside Out band and Street Cheer Fiji.