Hundreds of female market vendors receive free health screening around Nausori, Levuka, Labasa and Savusavu

Hundreds of female market vendors who do not have time to visit health centres got free health screenings in Nausori, Levuka, Labasa, and Savusavu today.

This was provided by Medical Services Pacific, Ministry of Health and Diabetes Fiji, and was funded by the British High Commission.

British High Commissioner to Fiji, Melanie Hopkins says the three major reasons why the British Government is involved in this initiative are gender equality, this year is the 70th Anniversary of the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth is a values-based organization and believes in inclusivity and empowerment of women and girls, and it is right to empower women and girls.

Medical Services Pacific Director, Ashna Shaleem says the program coincides with Pinktober.  

She says they have partnered with the Ministry of Health and Diabetes Fiji to provide services for women and girls in the market. 

President for Nausori Market Women's Association and market vendor, Venina Vakarausere says women vendors are fully focused on trying to sell their goods and they do not have much time in getting their health checks.

She says this only happens when one of them falls ill and they assist each other in sending that person to the hospital.