- PRESIDENT COMMENDS WOMEN’S GROUP – The International Women’s Association (IWA) was commended by the President His Excellency, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau for their efforts in assisting women and children as part of their charitable projects in Fiji.
- FIJI NETBALL PRESENTS ITATAU – The Fiji Pearls Netball team presented their itatau to His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau at Government House today.
- INVESTOR-FRIENDLY POLICIES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH – The Fijian Government will continue to formulate policies that are investor friendly and ensures sustainable growth for the Fijian economy, says the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Hon. Faiyaz Koya.
- TOBACCO CONTROL OFFICERS INCREASES VIGILANCE – The Ministry of Health’s tobacco control unit officers will vigilantly monitor non – smoking areas which have been declared Smoke Free Zones to ensure people respect the declaration.
- PLANT HEALTH CLINIC TRAINING FOR PLANTS – The Plant Health Clinic training for Central staff and farmers is taking place this week at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Cakobau House in Nausori, with efforts to enhance participants’ knowledge in being able to identify and understand pest diseases.
- Fiji wins first gold at World Games – Fiji created history at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, United States of America this morning by winning its first ever gold medal.
- FIJIAN Government sends congratulatory messages to Team Fiji – The Prime Minister has led the nation in congratulating the Fiji Team participating at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
- PRESIDENT COMMENDS WOMEN’S GROUP
The International Women’s Association (IWA) was commended by the President His Excellency, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau for their efforts in assisting women and children as part of their charitable projects in Fiji.
This follows the opening of the refurbished IWA Lau Women’s Ward by President Nailatikau at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) today.
“IWA is a non-profit charitable organization with members from overseas and Fiji dedicated to promoting and assisting in the physical, social and educational welfare of the disadvantaged women and children in Fiji. The Association has achieved so much in such a short time which is commendable,” Ratu Epeli said.
The President added that IWA Lau Women’s ward has 18 beds and features new equipment such as an ECG machine, cardiac defibrillator, wheelchairs, weight scales and emergency trolley with renovations of ceiling and windows and new furniture all worth over $100,000.
“In February this year, IWA raised funds to enable them to undertake this significant project and CWM is fortunate that IWA chose to renovate the Lau Women’s Ward which was in dire need of an upgrade and in need of medical equipment.”
Ratu Epeli said that in the past three years, IWA have spent in excess of over $400,000 at the CWM Hospital supporting various health initiatives.
In 2013, a substantial amount was donated for the transformation of the former Oxfam clinic now a Wellness center at CWM. In 2014, a series of donation were directed towards local sustainability in education initiatives with 19 outreach packages aimed at reaching the poorer communities of the country.
This empowered health care workers with the necessary equipment to facilitate their jobs and to strengthen their contraception reach and cervical cancer screening.
Additional donations consisting of $10,000 for equipment’s to furnish procedure room at the pediatric oncology unit, $5,000 for the Fiji Blind Society, $10,000 to the Rama Krishna Mission towards their telemedicine and $35,000 for the Hilton organization for their new audiology unit to facilitate tests for auditory brain step which was a first for Fiji.
The President of IWA, Bubby Mohan said the Association has a lot of pride for the project work undertaken in the fields of health and education.
“We are already in discussion for providing assistance to the Accident and Emergency Department of CWM. IWA will be providing trauma kits with equipment that is valued at $40, 000,” Ms Mohan said.
IWA has over 100 members consisting of 27 different nationalities which focus on women and children empowerment and projects in areas of health and education.
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- FIJI NETBALL PRESENTS ITATAU
The Fiji Pearls Netball team presented their itatau to His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau at Government House today.
Ratu Epeli commended the team for their commitment in training preparations ahead of the World Netball Championships that will be held in Australia next month.
“You have one of the best coaches in netball so we expect more from you in terms of moving up the world ranking,” Ratu Epeli said.
“We believe with the exposure the team has had during the Pacific games and recent test matches against the Silver Ferns, your preparations will indeed be helpful.”
Ratu Epeli urged the team to work towards their goals and be good ambassadors for the country while participating at the international competition.
Team Captain Mere Rabuka Neiliku said the team has prepared well and they will do their best at the World Netball championships.
“The recent test match against the Silver Ferns has been a great experience for the team and good exposure especially for the new players,” Mrs Neiliku said.
The Pearls are currently ranked 7th in the world and they will play against Wales, Uganda and Zambia in their pool matches at the World Netball Championships.
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- INVESTOR-FRIENDLY POLICIES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
The Fijian Government will continue to formulate policies that are investor friendly and ensures sustainable growth for the Fijian economy, says the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Hon. Faiyaz Koya.
Minister Koya said that this would mean a secure and long term growth for the economy while at the same time ensuring that investors are able to grow their businesses in Fiji and the region.
“Our vision is to make Fiji the financial hub of the Pacific, but we cannot be a financial hub unless the proper and prudent financial regulatory environment is in place,” Minister Koya said.
“This is especially important to attract investments and being the financial hub would further boost and promote Fiji as a financial market for growth.
“This growth in the financial sector is attributed to the confidence of Fijians and foreign investors in the Fijian Government and our sound and stable policies and is an indication of Fijians acquiring sustainable livelihoods. It gives insight that Fiji is on the march.”
Work towards this has already began following the launching of the Fijian Trade Policy Framework, which provides the foundation for the growth of trade and investment in Fiji.
“The Framework lays out a comprehensive course of action to take our economy to an even higher growth trajectory by boosting our trade performance and create investment – both domestic and foreign,” Minister Koya said.
“An Online Single Window Clearance System has also been launched which has made the registration and first line of approvals and fee payments for investors a lot simpler.”
Apart from this, Government is also empowering all Fijians through the Fijian Government’s initiative of Micro and Small Business Grants that is benefitting over 2, 000 small and micro entrepreneurs in Suva, Navua, Sigatoka, Savusavu and Taveuni.
“This grant is a means of providing them a little boost to further enhance their ability to earn a livelihood. It is also preparing Fijians to join the formal sector in the future,” Minister Koya added.
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- TOBACCO CONTROL OFFICERS INCREASES VIGILANCE
The Ministry of Health’s tobacco control unit officers will vigilantly monitor non – smoking areas which have been declared Smoke Free Zones to ensure people respect the declaration.
These are the comments by the acting manager Tobacco Control Unit for the Ministry of Health, Afiz Ali.
“The Ministry remains committed towards ensuring that these places are protected and that people are aware of their responsibilities towards others,” Mr Ali said.
“Over the last five years, we have been able to book 1, 156 people and this year alone we have over 200 people that have been fined.”
Some of the non – smoking areas which includes the bus stations, markets, restaurants, sporting facilities, public service vehicles such as buses, taxis and entire streets of the city.
He said the Ministry would not be able to monitor these places on its own and has entered into partnerships to help curb this.
“We (Ministry) cannot do this on our own thus the reason for partnership with municipal councils.”
“We should get together to create more awareness about the dangers of smoking which would benefit non – smokers and others alike,” Mr Ali said.
Fiji currently has seven villages declared smoke free while another 42 villages have had their community halls declared tobacco free.
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- PLANT HEALTH CLINIC TRAINING FOR PLANTS
The Plant Health Clinic training for Central staff and farmers is taking place this week at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Cakobau House in Nausori, with efforts to enhance participants’ knowledge in being able to identify and understand pest diseases.
Being the first of its kind, the training is conducted by the Ministry’s Plant Protection Division and is an opportunity for staff and farmers to learn proper management practices of insects, weeds, diseases and pests of crops.
Principal Agriculture Officer [Central], Tepola Seniloli thanked the Ministry’s Research Division for the opportune time take to train the extension officers and farmers.
“This training is something new in the country and we are fortunate to have the Research Division amongst us to share their knowledge and expectations for Crop Extension.”
Mrs Seniloli said the examining in health of people is quite common nowadays whereby doctors attend to patients and take simple blood tests, pressure and sugar levels and do further medical examinations.
Similarly, in this case, she said that the Research staff are plant doctors who are well versed with the basics of identifying pest diseases and causal organisms.
She urged participants to work as a team and make use of whatever resources available at the training and to also be confident when dealing with farmers while in the field.
The training will end tomorrow.
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- Fiji wins first gold at World Games
Los Angeles, July 29 – Fiji created history at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, United States of America this morning by winning its first ever gold medal.
Fiji special athlete Abdul Shariff competed in the 400 metres in the Division 15 category and won gold for Team Fiji at 10.30 US time this morning.
“This is a proud moment for Fiji,” said Team Fiji Manager Bishwa Sidal. “We never really anticipated winning a medal here in Los Angeles.”
“We came here to show to the world that our Government recognises unity and inclusiveness for people with special needs back home, and the gold medal achievement is indeed a bonus for Team Fiji,” said Bishwa.
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Iliesa Delana was at the USC Stadium this morning and cheered Team Fiji as they took on the field.
“This is indeed proof that Fiji’s special athletes and paralympians can become world class athletes,” he told Team Fiji today.
“The whole of Fiji is proud of you especially your colleagues back home and your parents,” Hon. Delana told Team Fiji after Abdul’s gold medal race.
“Your victory is not only yours but it is for everyone with special needs back home and also people with disability,” an emotional Delana told Abdul.
Ifereimi Biutisuva ran later in the afternoon and also won a silver medal in the 200 metres.
Both athletes are elated over their win and are looking forward to their 4×100 metre relay final later this week.
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- FIJIAN Government sends congratulatory messages to Team Fiji
The Prime Minister has led the nation in congratulating the Fiji Team participating at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
The head of the Fijian Government sent a message to the Fiji Team congratulating them on their first gold medal win at the games and wished them the best of luck in their remaining events, which the team was elated to hear.
Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou was the first to know of the gold medal win this morning and called in to congratulate Team Fiji in Los Angeles.
“Congratulations for the gold medal win and Fiji is indeed celebrating your victory with you the winning athlete Abdul Shariff.”
He went on to say that Fiji’s achievement at the World Games is proof that “Fijian sportsmen and women despite their physical status and ability can perform well at the world stage.”
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Iliesa Delana relayed the message to the team after the gold medal win and it was well received at the Fiji camp with loud cheers.
The Fiji Sports Council chief executive officer Ms Litiana Loabuka and the Ministry of Youth and Sports permanent secretary Mr Josefa Sania also joined many others sending their congratulatory messages to the special athletes, wishing them well in the remaining days of competition.
“I wish to first of all thank Government – Ministry of Youth and Sports, Peter Mazey and his team at the Fiji National Sports Commission for their tremendous support in ensuring that these special athletes reached Los Angeles to participate at the World Games,” Team Fiji Manager Bishwa Sidal said.
“If it wasn’t for Government’s support and assistance, we wouldn’t have made it. And also Goodman Fielder for our colourful attire and sports gears,” Bishwa Sidal said.
“We are just overwhelmed at the results and it was all possible through the support we received back home and most importantly the support of parents of these students with special needs.”
Mr Bishwa promised to pay each athlete $100 each for any gold medal win and after the win he is “hopeful for more support and incentives offered to recognise these athletes in the future.”
The team will continue to participate in the coming days and is expected to leave Los Angeles on Monday 3rd August Los Angeles time.