HEALTH WORKERS UNDERGO TRAINING TO PROMOTE HEALTH CARE IN RURAL AREAS

30/05/2013

Twenty health officials are currently being trained under the Community Health Worker Scheme to improve basic health care services provided in rural and isolated communities across the country.

The Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr Eloni Tora said a major goal behind this program is to provide a health care system that is accessible, affordable, responsive, equitable and of high quality to people.

“The Community Health Worker toolkit has also been distributed to these officers to undertake primary health care in our villagers,” Dr Tora said.

Government has allocated $210,000 for this program which is being piloted in the Northern division before it is extended to other areas in the country.

Dr Tora highlighted that the Ministry is currently working with the Ministry of Itaukei and the Ministry of Local government to engage with various district officers in the villages where the officials will be assigned too.

The Fiji Health Sector Support Program has also provided support towards this program.

Meanwhile, earlier this year eighteen community dieticians from around the country were presented with the Dietitians Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Toolkit.

These kits will effectively allow dieticians to screen people and provide appropriate interventions for cardiovascular risks and anaemia.

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