THE Ministry of Health achieved a milestone last week as it was the first time for the ministry to have taken a national meeting down to the community level.
The second National Health Executives Committee meeting, which consisted of medical leaders and senior executives from all over Fiji, was held at the Naveicovatu Village of Naloto in Wainibuka, Tailevu.
Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu told The Fiji Times that it was a proud moment for the villagers of Naveicovatu, as it was one of the smallest villages in Wainibuka with only 10 houses but has produced three doctors, two nurses and two lab technicians who have served at the primary health care level in Fiji.
“The first doctor within the Wainibuka area came from this village, nurses, lab technicians — they’ve set a milestone,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“It’s something that Wainibuka can be proud of and ensure that the commemoration stone plaque that we unveiled this (Friday) morning gives more encouragement to the children of Wainibuka to try and emulate and improve the health here, and also, to join the ministry,” he said.
“We brought the meeting here mainly because of community awareness.
“Secondly, bringing an important meeting such as this, down to the community — where it matters, and make decisions because as decision makers, we shouldn’t be making them in isolation.
“It should be done in consultation and at the same time, with the community’s participation, it shows that the community’s reception towards the idea and from our end, and an opportunity to bring the service as close to the community as possible and do a number of things all at once.
“We had planned this initiative for some time, but there was always something that was happening that we didn’t anticipate, and because meetings like these were usually held in hotels, we decided to bring it to the community.
“We are very grateful now that it has happened, thanks to the Central Division team and the CWM (Hospital) and senior executives from the MOH from all over the divisions that are here to discuss policies.
“It is also an opportunity for the MOH to bring out its services to Wainibuka.
“Having the meeting, doing the outreach, and at the same time talking with the communities on how to improve medical services within areas like these.”
