The Australian Government has signed a grant agreement of AUD$600,000 with the Fiji National University's College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science today.
The grant aims to continue the work of strengthening specialized clinical services and improving health workforce development in Fiji and other Pacific Island Countries.
The grant has been given to improve the quality of training programmes offered by the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, to increase the number of graduates, to be instrumental in establishing and supporting postgraduate education for doctors and all other health professionals at FNU.
The agreement signed will also see FNU's College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science working with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Pacific Community towards improving basic secondary health care in Pacific Island Countries that are affordable, accessible, of good quality and appropriate to local needs.
Australian High Commissioner John Feakes says supporting a healthy, productivity Pacific population is in Australia's interest and they will continue to invest in health as an enabler of participation in education and employment and contribute to the region's growth.
FNU Vice-Chancellor Nigel Healey acknowledged the Australian Government for their vision in supporting the development of medical services in the Pacific.
He also highlighted that AusAID has provided scholarships for regional students to study medicine and nursing at FNU and has provided financial assistance to support FNU's outreach medical programmes across the Pacific.
AusAid has assisted a total of 91 students in the Pacific region to study at FNU's College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science this year.
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