Health Minister, Dr Neil Sharma says there is an urgent need to improve the food quality and presentation of meals served to clients in hospitals around the country.
“There is a distinct need to look upon meals as a commercial service to clients,” he said.
“The question of vegetarian meals have been raised. Our meals need to be reduced of the substandard meats and all the additional salt.”
Dr Sharma said international literature was constantly reporting on the association of meat and salt to obesity and non communicable disease.
“We need to address this issue head on. It is for you over the next two days to review your options on steamed, stir fried and grilled vegetarian meals on selective two days a week in all health establishments in Fiji,” he said.
Dr Sharma said a menu could be redeveloped and patients given an option within the basic framework of what we offer.
“Why we are offering so much tea and cocoa when the world is going to green tea with antioxidants? Why are we moving away from Oatmeal porridges? Why are we not utilising more of our local vegetables and perennial and seasonal fruit? Why are we not using the imprest system to locally purchase fresh fish and crabs, rourou, bele?,” he asked
“For fussy eaters and those who prefer home meals you can assist by developing meals which are brought from home for them.
“I am confident that you have been dined and wined in a Five-Star restaurant and appreciate the presentation and somewhat surprised at the volume.
“Why can we not improve on our cutlery, crockery and presentations with variations to the menu, especially, in the paying wards for starters?”
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