The Fiji Health Sector Review, titled “Mo Bulabula, Ka Bula Balavu” (Wishing You a Healthy Life and Long Life) will be officially launched tomorrow, signaling the beginning of a transformative journey for Fiji’s healthcare system.
In partnership between the Ministry of Health and the World Bank, with an estimated cost of $320 to $340 million over seven years, these reforms aim to address systemic healthcare challenges and ensure equitable access to quality services for all Fijians.
The World Bank says the review highlights Fiji’s growing non-communicable disease crisis, which accounts for 80 percent of all deaths and underscores the urgent need for structural reforms.
They say the key actions include redesigning primary healthcare services, enhancing NCD screening and prevention, digitizing health records, and developing a more integrated hospital network.
They further say without urgent action, Fiji risks further economic and social losses, with healthcare expenditure expected to rise by 60 percent by 2030 if current trends continue.
The World Bank say the reforms aim to extend life expectancy by a decade, reduce the financial burden on households and create a healthier, more sustainable future for Fiji.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, describes the reforms as “an economic imperative” to secure the country’s future.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Doctor Atonio Lalabalavu says the collaboration to implement these changes successfully will not only improve health outcomes but also drive economic growth by 0.3 percent annually.
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