The St John Association in Fiji has raised strong concerns over a provision in the proposed Draft Red Cross Society Bill 2025 that would designate the Fiji Red Cross Society as the country’s “primary national provider” of first aid training and certification.
In a press release issued on December 12, the Board of the St John Association in Fiji (SJAF) confirmed it has formally submitted its position to Government as part of ongoing consultations on the Bill.
While supporting the move to formally recognise and establish the Fiji Red Cross Society under national legislation, SJAF says the proposed clause risks undermining long-standing national first aid standards.
St John Association in Fiji has provided first aid training and certification for 86 years and says it has played a central role in building the country’s emergency preparedness capacity.
“Our history is clear. St John has been instrumental in building Fiji’s emergency preparedness capacity since 1939,” said National Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ratu Vereniki Raiwalui.
“Our certifications are trusted, recognised, and mandated across key industries including maritime, mining, and the civil service. To grant a legislative monopoly to any single organisation by calling them the ‘primary provider’ would undermine this legacy and potentially compromise the quality and accessibility of training.”
SJAF is calling for the removal of the “primary national provider” clause from the Bill, arguing that national safety should be based on quality assurance rather than institutional preference.
The Association is instead advocating for a neutral regulatory framework, where an independent statutory body such as the Fiji Qualifications Authority would accredit and oversee all first aid training providers based on merit, quality, and adherence to international best practice.
“We are urging the Government to focus on a system that promotes competition and excellence, ensuring that all Fijians receive the highest standard of pre-hospital care education,” a St John spokesperson said.
In its submission, SJAF is also seeking written assurance from the Government that the final legislation will not invalidate, restrict, or de-recognise first aid certifications currently issued by the St John Association in Fiji.
The Association says it remains fully committed to serving the public and will continue its operations to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of high-quality first aid training nationwide.
