The World Health Organisation (WHO) made a commitment to strengthen Fiji’s position as a hub for training regional health workers in the area of primary health care.
The commitment was made today following a meeting between Fiji’s Hon. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, along the margins of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Tuvalu.
WHO is committed to building strong primary health care systems to ensure overall health improvement in vulnerable communities.
Prime Minister Bainimarama welcomed the commitment by Dr. Ghebreyesus.
Dr. Ghebreyesus, in return, conveyed his appreciation to Fiji for its uncompromising stand on climate change and issues faced by vulnerable communities in the region.
“Fiji’s strong leadership and advocacy in the climate space is critical in realising the targets set by the Paris Agreement. As the hub of the Pacific, Fiji’s leadership is crucial and I thank the Hon. Prime Minister for his vision for Fiji and the region,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said.
Prime Minister Bainimarama also highlighted Fiji’s concern on the escalating incidences of Non- Communicable Diseases (NCD) and consumption of illicit drugs amongst Fiji’s population.
According to the WHO Director-General, NCD is a priority area for WHO, he also reiterated the need for the education sector to be more involved in the reinforcement of key messages on healthy lifestyle choices for Fiji’s young generation.
The Pacific Island Forum Leaders are in Tuvalu for the 50th Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting. Pacific Island Leaders are joined by CROP, UN and Commonwealth partners to deliberate on key development issues in the region this week.