Venue: Sunset Lounge – Berkeley Crescent
Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources
Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources;
Deputy Secretary;
Senior Staff;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.
It is indeed a pleasure to be here today and be part of this auspicious occasion – the closing of the Movember Campaign for the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Industry, Trade and Tourism.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have now come to the end of our Movember Campaign and never before, have we witnessed such great passion and commitment by staff of both Ministries on raising awareness on prostate cancer.
As I had mentioned during the launch of the movember campaign, in Fiji more than 20 prostate cancer cases are recorded each year. However, most men diagnosed, do not die from it. They do not die from it, simply because they go for early detection, screening and treatment.
Having said that, I therefore encourage all men to go and get tested now. Do not wait until it’s too late. Go and get tested now. For all of you present here this afternoon, I also urge you to encourage your male family members to go and get tested. Furthermore, to continue fighting this good cause of raising awareness on this killer disease as a national health priority, even after the global November month.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The commitment shown by the Fiji Cancer Society in raising awareness on this disease, is beginning to turn the tide against prostate cancer in our country.
On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to commend the Fiji Cancer Society for the great initiative in raising awareness on this silent killer. Your work has been effective to both the Ministries and as a result, a total of 24 male staff above the age of 40, went for screening and other tests this week.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today, more and more men have come to know the importance of getting smart and getting screened. This campaign should speak to our conscious and help us realize that we all need to work together, in helping and saving even more Fijian men’s lives.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
There are more than 50 men from the two Ministries, who had gladly participated in this Movember campaign, by growing their moustaches and beards.
In a big way, they have made this campaign the avenue for dialogue and public awareness to save men’s lives especially those already affected by the disease. Moreover, each man made a pledge to raise funds and contribute towards the good work currently being done by the Fiji Cancer Society. Having said that, I am happy to announce that both the Ministries has raised a total amount of $ during the month.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Some Divisional Staff from the Labasa and Lautoka, for the first time, participated in this campaign and our future plan is to double our target and get on board all men of both Ministries. While doing so, we will also get spouses of our female staff to join this campaign and make this a family commitment as well.
All of us here today know someone who has prostate cancer or who has survived it, or who became a victim. This is all the more reason for all of us, to support this worthy cause together.
Today, I am filled with joy and pride, as every speck of blue I see represents victory and hope for the future. In fact, as long as there is a reason to wear blue, there should also be a reason to take action to raise awareness about this emerging health catastrophe that threatens our country. It is therefore the obligation of every men, every women, every young boy and every well-meaning Fijian to continue to raise awareness about this disease and hopefully one day, we’ll find a cure. We can see the finishing line on the horizon and hand in hand, we will cross it.
For all the men who have participated in this campaign, I thank you for standing up and joining other fellow men from around the country in raising funds for this worthy cause. Thank you for embracing the sweaty and itchy moustaches and beards this Movember. You deserve a good clean shave straight after this!!
Ladies and Gentlemen
With those words, I once again sincerely thank all the men who have participated in our 2017 Movember Campaign, to their spouses for their continued support and to the organisers of this event for a job well done. Thank you for the hard work and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Vinaka Vakalevu. Thank You.