Venue: Fiji National University Pasifika Auditorium,
Extension Street,Suva
The Permanent Secretary for Health;
The Vice Chancellor of the Fiji National University;
The Acting Dean, College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences;
The Vice President Corporate Development – Apollo Hospitals Group;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Bula vinaka a very good morning to all of you.
I am indeed delighted to be here this morning, to launch the Fiji and Apollo Health Forum – a joint project of the Fiji National University, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji Medical Association and Apollo Hospitals of India.
Ladies and Gentlemen
As its name suggests, this gathering brings together a number of experts from Fiji and India to effectively discuss ways in which we can contribute and improve the health and wellbeing of all Fijians.
This is the second time for this highly skilled engagement between a major health provider from India – the Apollo Hospital Group and the Fijian health sector.
Ladies and Gentlemen
This year, with a seeing a major collaboration between the Fijian public and private sector. The Fiji Medical Association (FMA) has come onboard together with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Fiji National University. The FMA is Fiji’s and the region’s leading medical professional organization with 320 members, from the public, private sectors and the academia.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Apollo Group, is a leading health provider in India, touching the lives of approximately one billion people. Hence, a crucial player in the industry with an exceptional level of skill and experience.
Therefore, this Forum will allow for sharing of this experiences and knowledge that will be beneficial for the Fijian practitioners. Furthermore, it is also an opportunity for the Indian practitioners to learn how things are done in small island developing countries.
In addition through this initiative, we are gaining access to some of the best medical minds from India in Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Orthopedics and Critical Care. The topics that will discussed today are of great importance for the Fijian health fraternity. Therefore, the topics will be further deliberated on during the Fiji Medical Association Annual Conference.
Ladies and Gentlemen
As enshrined in the Fijian Constitution all Fijians have the right to access medical and health services. Therefore, to ensure that Fijians have access to affordable health services, the Government has increased its investment in the health and medical sector. Today the Fijian Government is investing more than 4.5 per cent towards medical services.
Moreover, today we have specialized skills in the public health care that was not available 10 years ago and these include, Neurosurgery, Cardiology and Angiography, Hospital Hemodialysis, Nephrology, Medical and Pediatric Oncology, to name a few. We have visiting specialists coming to Fiji, especially in the public health system, who not only provide the specialized services but also provide on-job training for local health professionals.
Therefore, this partnership with Apollo Hospital is of great importance as it holds out the promise to deliver better health care outcomes for ordinary Fijians across a range of disciplines.
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Government, I would like to sincerely thank our Indian counterparts and friends for their willingness to provide their expertise and engage with our very own health professionals. We must admit, it is impossible to overstate the importance of partnerships as such for Fiji.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The ability to deliver proper standards on health care, to meet the needs of ordinary people, is a continuing challenge in even the most advanced countries. Developed countries like the United States, Britain and Australia are experiencing extreme pressure on their health care systems as people demand better care.
Therefore, the challenges in a developing country like Fiji is even greater, where the gap between the demand for health services and our ability to supply them, is often stretched to the limit. However, this does not mean that the Government will not work towards providing the best services.
Ladies and Gentlemen
One of Fiji’ biggest challenges and is a challenge for every single citizen, is the burden on our health system of patients with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes are now a bigger problem in countries like Fiji. For this reason, we need a bigger effort to tackle NCDs and this requires a fundamental change in the behavior of our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are determined to achieve a steady improvement in service delivery. And in the past six years, the Fiji First Government has created many employment opportunities for doctors and nurses in the country. A scholarship scheme for doctors wishing to advance their studies, was also announced in the national budget last year.
Furthermore, we are always seeking imaginative ways to overcome the problems we face, to think outside the box, to enable us to meet an acceptable standard of health care for a country of our size and means. Ultimately, this means developing more partnership and collaboration with organisations such as Apollo, to help us leap frog over the current hurdles, particularly in the delivery of tertiary health care.
For this, we will require the strongest possible commitment from our health workers, whom we highly value for their dedication and skills.
Ladies and Gentlemen
With those words, I wish you all well, as you review the current state of health care in Fiji and chart a way forward.
It gives me great pleasure to now declare this Forum officially open.
Vinaka Vakalevu. Thank You.