CAPTION: Fiji non resident High Commissioner to Singapore HE Ratu Tui Cavuilati with PM Voreqe Bainimarama and Singapore non resident HC to Fiji HE Matthews.
1. SINGAPORE HAPPY WITH PM BAINIMARAMA’S VISION, PROGRESS – Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was assured support for building a better Fiji during a dinner hosted by Justice (Rtd) MPH Rubin, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large.
2. NURSES PLAY KEY ROLE IN WELLNESS – More than 500 nurses from all around the country attended the 56th Fiji Nursing Association (FNA) annual general meeting in Suva today. They were reminded of the key role they play in the country as far as wellness of Fijians is concerned.
3. NAUPOTO OPENS SUVA NETBALL – Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Viliame Naupoto opened the Suva Netball Association 2013 club competition at the National Netball Centre in Laucala today.
1. SINGAPORE HAPPY WITH PM BAINIMARAMA’S VISION, PROGRESS
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was assured support for building a better Fiji during a dinner hosted by Justice (Rtd) MPH Rubin, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large.
The Fijian Prime Minister was on transit in Singapore after a successful State visit to Papua New Guinea.
Joining Justice Rubin at the China Club, Capital Towers on the evening of Thursday, April 18 were the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) head of Public Affairs Tan Keng Jin; the Director-General, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sudesh Maniar and his Country Officer, Ms Joy Boo.
Discussions at the informal and friendly dinner focussed on Fiji’s progress.
This gave Prime Minister Bainimarama the opportunity to share Fiji’s political developments including expositions of the draft constitution being taken to the people for consultations throughout Fiji.
Justice Rubin also took the opportunity to thank PM Bainimarama for having accepted his invitation in light of a busy schedule in Port Moresby.
Justice Rubin showed appreciation to the Prime Minister and his Government’s support during his tenure as Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to Fiji based in Wellington from 2010 to 2012.
In addition to his fascination of Fiji’s beauty and friendly people, the diplomat was impressed with Fiji’s progress, especially, with Prime Minister Bainimarama’s vision and passion for a better Fiji which is now beginning to unfold.
He wished the Prime Minister and Fiji the very best of successes for the future.
The Prime Minister thanked Justice Rubin for the kind gesture and for the understanding displayed by genuine friends of Fiji such as Singapore.
Accompanying the Prime Minister were the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation permanent secretary, Mr Amena Yauvoli; the Prime Minister’s PSO Ben Naliva, and Fiji’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Ratu Tui Cavuilati.
At their departure, Prime Minister Bainimarama and his delegation were farewelled by Verghese Mathews, Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to Fiji and the Pacific Islands, on Friday morning, April 19.
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2. NURSES PLAY KEY ROLE IN WELLNESS
More than 500 nurses from all around the country attended the 56th Fiji Nursing Association (FNA) annual general meeting in Suva today.
They were reminded of the key role they play in the country as far as wellness of Fijians is concerned.
Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Dr Eloni Tora urged the nurses to assist the ministry emphasise wellness and address the challenges non-communicable diseases posed to the productivity of Fiji.
“The Millennium Development Goals are set to be achieved in 2015. Three of the MDGs are specifically related to health and they are MDG 4 which is related to child health, MDG 5 which is related to maternal health and MDG 6 for HIV/Malaria/TB and other communicable diseases,” Dr Tora said.
“I urge every nurse and the FNA to be familiar with the MDGs. Also, be familiar with the current Ministry of Health activities, especially, now with the emphasis on maternal health.”
Dr Tora said the ministry was stressing MDG 5- maternal care/maternal health, which was the least progressive MDG.
“The nurses are the frontline staff in the health systems. Your contribution is essential to meeting the MDGs as well as in the delivery of safe and effective medical care. NCDs are the single most barrier to all nations achieving the MDGs,” he said.
The permanent secretary also raised concerns on health professionals’ hesitancy to be posted to maritime areas.
“Since 2009, I have been leading national posting in the Ministry of Health. I now hear a lot of requests from people not wanting to be posted to maritime areas because they worry about their families. It is disappointing,” Dr Tora said.
“I had a call from the Prime Minister on a Saturday evening some weeks ago. He showed disappointment that people are not wanting to be posted to maritime areas. We have now decided to put our foot down and discipline staff who do not want to go.”
He also challenged nurses and other health professionals to go out to the communities to be able to serve the public well.
“People just don’t want to move out for outreach. The veteran nurses and retired nurses will tell the young ones that they had walked distances.
“This is not only the nurses’ problems. I have seen doctors and other health professionals also have no idea as to what is happening in their community.
Dr Tora highlighted to the nurses that the biggest cause of people dying before the age of 60 are heart diseases, stroke and diabetes.
“Hence, we must emphasise on wellness and address the problem of NCDs. Be a role model in the communities you serve and teach people ways of controlling their diet as well as stressing the significance of daily exercise.”
The theme for today’s meeting was “Closing the gaps: Millennium Development Goals”.
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3. NAUPOTO OPENS SUVA NETBALL
Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Viliame Naupoto opened the Suva Netball Association 2013 club competition at the National Netball Centre in Laucala today.
Addressing Suva netters, Mr Naupoto said sports could be the best nation building tool.
“The basic step in building a better Fiji is building a better you,” Mr Naupoto said.
Mr Naupoto said the effort given for netball at club level boosted the spirit and standard of the sport in the country.
“Netball has earned its place on the international ranking and other major sports like rugby and soccer need to push their status on the international ranking,” he said.
He thanked New World Supermarket for being a faithful supporter of Suva netball for the past four years.
“Sports in Fiji cannot survive without sponsorship,” the minister said.
The National Youth Band played at the netball centre before the official opening.
“I sent the national youth band to entertain you in advance so that you can begin your tournament in a happy mood,” Mr Naupoto.
Suva is reigning national netball champion for two years in a row and is looking forward to another successful year.
With clubs from around the capital city suburbs, Suva has been producing national players since its establishment.
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