5 February, 2026, 7:51 am Central - 24°C Clouds

Disease detectives play crucial role in fight against pandemic – Health Minister

Disease detectives play crucial role in fight against pandemic – Health Minister

By Alipate Narawa
06/10/2023
[Image: Supplied]

Minister for Health, Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says as 'disease detectives', medical laboratory scientists have a crucial role to play in the fight against any pandemic or disease.

While launching the Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Science Membership Portal during their 11th annual seminar at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach, Dr. Lalabalavu thanked them for their hard work and sacrifice and hopes the seminar will ensure they get to share interesting deliberations that will contribute greatly to improving Fiji’s health sector post COVID19.

He says the Ministry recognises and appreciates the efforts of members of Institute and their contribution to Fiji's health sector adding he was also impressed with the launching of the FIMLS website.

Institute Vice President, Jignesh Sharma says the institute aimed to go 100 percent paper less from 2024 and ensure to cut out paper trails to preserve our beautiful Island home.

Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Science was formed in 1983 and renamed in 2012 and is the only recognised institute for medical laboratory professionals.

The institute has grown strength to strength looking after the welfare of Medical Laboratory professionals in Fiji.

The Institute comes under the Allied Health Professionals Act and aims to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and the Fijian Government to safeguard medical laboratory profession in Fiji.

The two day event with the theme, Expanding Medical Laboratory Practice in the face of current Economic Realities, Innovations, Equipment and Manpower Development was aimed to appreciate the hard-working laboratory professionals all throughout Fiji and shed light on the current economic realities, how important it is to have innovations and to develop manpower ready for the next challenges.

The event attracted suppliers and guests from both Fiji and abroad.

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