A Community Health Worker (CHW) programme, in partnership with the Australian Government, aimed at improving healthcare delivery and tackling Fiji’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases has been launched in Suva.
Speaking at the launch held at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says the initiative will better equip community health workers to respond to evolving health challenges, particularly lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Dr Lalabalavu says the programme is a joint effort between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Australian Government, following a comprehensive review in 2024 of training modules, curriculum and the overall CHW framework.
He highlights that community health workers remain a vital link between formal healthcare services and communities, particularly in rural, maritime and high-risk areas.
He adds that there are approximately 2,000 Community Health Workers across the country, supporting health programmes through education, disease prevention, maternal and child health services, and home-based care.
He says it also played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring and reporting on individuals in home isolation.
The programme, which has existed since the late 1970s, has evolved from a focus on sanitation and infectious disease prevention to addressing broader health concerns, including non-communicable diseases and basic treatment of common illnesses.
The updated training introduces four core modules and includes a training-of-trainers approach to ensure effective rollout across Fiji’s subdivisions.
