ASST. MINISTER OF THE OFFICE OF THE PM HON. SAKIUSA TUBUNA'S SPEECH AT THE FIJI COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS MEETING

The FCGP President - Dr. Rajeshwar Maharaj
The President of WONCA, Dr. Karen Flagg
Distinguished guests and fellow members of the college
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, a warm welcome to all of you this morning and a happy Ratu Sukuna Day to you all.
 
It is indeed and honor and a privilege for me to be invited as Chief Guest in this auspicious event. I had accepted the invitation, as there are a lot of opportunities for closer collaboration between Government and the Fiji College of General Practitioners.
 
Cooperation and synergising efforts is now the new norm, hence my presence today is to also network with you fellow health experts and identify areas in which Government can work closely together with the College in addressing health issues in the country.
 
As General Practitioners  in the frontline of providing health care, you are well versed with the health crisis that the nation is facing. Key health issues such as Non Communicable Diseases, HIV, Cancer, Drugs and Mental Health continue to plague our nation and has put pressure on our health system.
 
NCDs alone incurs a health cost of $591 million and is a major cause of deaths and disability in Fiji. There is an increasing trend in HIV cases and there is currently over 2,000 known cases of HIV and AIDS in the country. 
 
Cooperation between Government and stakeholders such as the Fiji College of General Practitioners is vital to address these issues.
 
A major priority of the Coalition Government is the improvement of our health system which has been neglected and not prioritised over the years. 
 
The budget allocation for the Health sector increased by $58.7 million from the last financial year to cater for salaries of nurses and overtime. This is to also curb the high number of our health workers migrating and to address numerous complaints over the years on pay issues.
 
 Funds were also allocated to upgrade and maintain health infrastructure across the country. Government also continued the Free Health Scheme which is a Public Private Partnership for the provision of free medical services to the general public particularly to those fully reliant on the public health system.
 
To combat the prevalence of NCDs, the Ministry of Health has introduced the National Policy on Healthy Catering and Sale of Food and Beverages at All Government Ministries and Institutions. This is to ensure that all food vendors that operate out of Government institutions are restricted from selling unhealthy foods and beverages in all Government institutions.
 
Policies has also been developed to prohibit the selling of unhealthy food and beverages in school canteens given the vulnerability of our children and the need for them to make healthy decisions from a young age.
 
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Fiji Bureau of Statistics will soon conduct a STEP Survey with the support of DFAT. 
 
The survey last conducted in 2011 is a household survey that collects data through face-to-face interviews on demographic and behavioural factors. It is a simple, sequential, standardised method for collecting, analysing and disseminating data on key NCD risk factors at the country level.
 
The current Mental Health Act will be reviewed to cover treatment of non-clinical patients that require psychological support. The revised Act will cover patients that suffer mental health issues due to the COVID pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.
 
I have highlighted some Government initiatives in the health sector but we need the support of key stakeholders in the sector such as the College to effectively address health issues.
 
You as General Practitioners are at the frontline hence need to be driving into your patients the need for healthier choices in food selection and to live an active lifestyle. 
 
Regular physical activity complemented by health diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, staple food and lentils should be the key message to patients.
 
In Fiji, there is a “processed food” culture which needs to be changed. The public has to be aware that this type of food is unhealthy and is a major contributor to NCDs. 
 
More awareness should be conducted encouraging the public to plant their own food in their backyard. Planting of fruits, vegetables and root crops for own consumption has to be encouraged. 

This gained traction during the COVID pandemic but the message out there should be on the health and economic benefits of growing one’s own food. 
 
It also reduces our dependence on imported food and helps us to be self-sustainable when there are disruptions to the global supply chain due to external shocks.
 
I reiterate again, that Government and key stakeholders in the health sector, such as Fiji College of General Practitioners will need to collaborate and have in depth discussions on how we can effectively work together to improve the well-being of our people.
 
This is a Government that listens and ready to work together with any organisation for the good of our people.
 
To conclude, I am grateful for this opportunity to officiate in your meeting today and I wish you all a happy Ratu Sukuna Day.