The Hon. Assistant Minister for Health & Medical Services Veena Bhatnagar met with the Board of Visitors in Tavua, Ba and Rakiraki during public consultations in the Western Division this week.
The meeting is aimed at strengthening private and public partnership to collectively improve Fiji’s health care system.
“The Government and the Ministry of Health need support and assistance through this private public partnership. This allows the various communities to take ownership of health facilities and assist in improving infrastructure rather than relying entirely on us”, the Assistant Minister said.
“Every community should assist with looking after health facilities and we thank those people that have always stepped in to help in simple things such as cleaning the facilities and providing donations,” she added.
“I thank the members of the various Board of Visitors that have done marvellous projects and I ask that you continue to support the health facilities”.
During the public consultation in Rakiraki, participants raised queries on the Rakiraki Board of Visitors as the board had been dissolved. The Assistant Minister advised that her Ministry would look into this.
The Minister stressed the importance of the public applying for Government’s “Free Medicine Program”. Forms were made available at the consultations in Rakiraki.
For 99 year old Mr Prithi Pati of Gallau Rakiraki, the consultation provided him the opportunity to speak to the Assistant Minister of his concerns. The Assistant Minister said that Mr Pati’s age was testament to living a healthy lifestyle.
This is a good example of ageing gracefully. Ensuring that a proper nutrition and exercise routine is a daily part of our life is important. A healthy lifestyle will minimize the chance of non-communicable diseases (NCD)”, Mrs Bhatnagar added.
DEPTFO