FIJIANS have 55 mandatory interventions with the Ministry of Health from birth to 19 years, says Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete.
He said this while addressing representatives from the ministries of Education and Health attending the World Health Organization’s workshop on strengthening health promoting schools in Nadi on Wednesday.
“We have, from the time of conception to when they are 19 years old, 55 episodes of where the child meets the Ministry of Health,” he said.
“Whether it’s in the antenatal clinic, school visitations, dental visitations or immunisations — there are 55 episodes.
“If the child gets sick and needs to go to hospital, that is additional to this.
“There are 55 deemed mandatory episodes, interventions and meetings between the child and the Ministry of Health.”
Dr Waqainabete said Government’s commitment to ensuring Fijians had access to preventative health care was a priority area. He said one of the first things he wanted to address when he came into office in 2018 was child obesity.
“Childhood obesity is the beginning of the complications of things that happen with NCDs.
“If it is not controlled, it will also lead to a decreased quality of life and quantity of life. There is a lot of evidence around that.
“There is also evidence around the fact that children in their mother’s womb are exposed to the environmental influences, the dietary influences, the tobacco influences that may lead to NCDs later on in life.
“I am pleased to say that our Government has recognised this and provided initiatives to address this.
“One of it is those women who are pregnant and below a certain salary are able to access food vouchers to be able to support them at a very important time.
“When they deliver, again women who are below a certain salary can access $500 initially which goes into an account and $500 when the child is six years old.”
