Reason for the food ration in the Suva-Nausori lockdown area was because basic food items would have been inaccessible - Dr Fong

The Permanent Secretary for Health Dr. James Fong says the reason they did the food ration distribution in the Suva-Nausori lockdown area was because supermarkets were closed and basic food items would have been inaccessible.

Dr.Fong says it was not a poverty alleviation program but a lockdown program.

He also says there is a potential to explore providing food ration packs in other containment zones.

Dr.Fong says the solution for that will extend outside the Health Ministry as it will involve other ministries who will be in a better position to answer the question.

Dr.Fong adds providing food rations in other containment zones requires a broader set of strategies that are not within the ambit of the Health Ministry.