Non-communicable diseases and mental health challenges are lived realities for almost every Fijian family, with NCDs accounting for more than 80 percent of deaths in Fiji, hindering social development.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stressed this while officiating the 76th World Health Organization Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific in Nadi.
Rabuka says mental health issues, often unrecognised, leave adolescents vulnerable to trauma, stress and substance abuse.
The Prime Minister outlined Fiji’s proactive measures, including legislative reforms to restrict unhealthy food marketing, the implementation of healthy school policies, and greater investment in mental health services, particularly through decentralised care and training in psychological first aid.
He emphasised that stigma, underfunding, and data gaps remain significant barriers to progress, and called for targeted international financing for Small Island Developing States to address the growing costs of NCDs and mental health care.
Rabuka says peaceful societies are healthier societies, and inclusive governance fosters stronger health outcomes.
Fiji last hosted the World Health Organization Regional Committee Meeting in 1984, when the Western Pacific Region had only 17 Member States.
He noted that today there are 38 strong members, collectively serving more than 2.2 billion people, which is more than a quarter of the world’s population.
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