Former Speaker of Parliament, the late Doctor Jiko Luveni was honoured last night by the World Health Assembly for her work to serve the disadvantaged and to improve health in Fiji and internationally.
Minister for Health Dr.Ifereimi Waqainabete accepted the Global Health Leader award on her behalf.
Doctor Luveni graduated as the first woman dentist from the Fiji School of Medicine as well as from the University of Sydney.
She was also the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation for 8 years before the General Elections in 2014.
In June last year, Doctor Luveni was conferred the honorary fellowship from the Council of Royal Australian College of Surgeons.
She is only the third woman to receive such a prestigious award alongside the Princess of Wales, the late Diana Spencer.
Doctor Luveni was also appointed Champion for Early Childhood Care and Education in Fiji.
She was also the founder of the NGO, Fiji Network for People Living with HIV and AIDS.
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