NCD’s are a leading cause of mortality and disability in Fiji- Tubuna

As Non-Communicable Disease are a leading cause of mortality and disability in Fiji and with a $591 million annual health expenditure, there are already over 2,000 cases of HIV and AIDS in the nation, and the number of cases is on the rise.

This has been highlighted by the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna during the Fiji College of General Practitioners annual conference at the Shangri-La resort in Sigatoka.

Tubuna says some of the important health problems that continue to affect our country and impose strain on our health system include NCD’s, HIV, cancer, drugs, and mental health.

He says to overcome the health crisis the country is facing, collaboration between the government and stakeholders like the Fiji College of General Practitioners is essential.

Tubuna says the government is working closely with health experts to identify areas in which the government and the College can address health issues in the nation.

He says as General Practitioners on the frontline of providing health care, they are well-versed in the health crisis that the nation is facing.

The Assistant Minister says the coalition government has made improving our health system a top priority as over the years it has been neglected and underfunded due to which the budget allocation has increased by $58.7 million from the previous fiscal year to cover nurse salaries and overtime.

He says this is also to curb the high number of our health workers migrating and to address numerous complaints over the years on pay issues.

Tubuna says funds were also allocated to upgrade and maintain health infrastructure across the country whereby the government also continued the Free Health Scheme, a Public-Private Partnership for free medical services to the general public, particularly those fully reliant on the public health system.

He says to combat the prevalence of NCDs, the Ministry of Health introduced the National Policy on Healthy Catering and Sale of Food and Beverages at all Government Ministries and Institutions to ensure that all food vendors that operate out of government institutions are restricted from selling unhealthy foods and beverages in all Government institutions.

The Assistant Minister adds that Policies have also been developed to prohibit the selling of unhealthy food and beverages in school canteens given the vulnerability of our children and the need for them to make healthy decisions from a young age.

The current Mental Health Act will also be reviewed to cover the treatment of non-clinical patients who require psychological support which will cover patients who suffer mental health issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.