Promotion and protection of the health of Fiji’s people will be improved if medical professionals make a major shift in their approach to threats, says Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr Sala Saketa.
She told the Second Primary Health Symposium that public health threats to the community were complex and affected by the national political and socio-economic status.
Dr Saketa said globalisation, fast travel and climate change also contributed to the increased threats.
She said there were seven major areas which needed to be addressed in order to improve the delivery of primary health services.
These are:
1. A new vision for public health aligned to the Ministry of Health strategic plan for 2011 to 2015 and the People’s Charter for Peace and Progress
2. The establishment of a national health commission to replace the Heath Promotion Council
3. Strengthening of physical infrastructure and services to be aligned to current disease burdens. These include strengthening of rural lab facilities, improving outreach services and delineation of health boundaries
4. A well trained and proficient health workforce
5. Information sharing and use of the media
6. Legislative frameworks including the review of old acts and development of new laws
7. Sustainable funding mechanisms including the introduction of air quarantine, food safety, water quality and waste collection fees.
Dr Saketa said the attention of health care workers must shift from being disease focused to wellness focused.
“To achieve this is not easy and is a mammoth task but let us start small and build on our successes and achievements.” Dr Saketa said.
She challenged participants to create a healthy, productive nation.
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