The Health Ministry’s vision for a healthy population and health system was emphasised by the Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Salaneita Saketa at their 2012 Annual Corporate Plan meeting today.
Dr Saketa said the strategic goals and objectives of the health ministry for 2011 – 2015 are aligned to the Government’s Roadmap and the Peoples Charter for Change Peace and Progress (PCCPP).
“Our strategic plan for the next five years is to strengthen health system with the aim to be customer and patient focused,” Dr Saketa said.
She said there needs to be a change in the mindset of people as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a health burden which needs to be reduced.
“November will be NCD awareness month and there is also a focus on family, child and adolescent health improvements.”
Dr Saketa said Mataika House is undertaking a study on Chlamydia cases on three countries and Fiji is one of them as the Chlamydia prevalence is high in anti-natal mothers.
She added that there are five priority communicable diseases under surveillance in Fiji and they are working to include Tuberculosis and Leprosy as well.
The Ministry is also working on improvement of environmental health in terms of provision of safe and quality water in rural areas.