The week began and The Fiji Times broke some good news. Firstly, the PS for Health and Medical Services, Dr Tuicakau, confirmed that nurses will have their salaries adjusted this year.

He spoke in response to queries raised by the Fiji Nursing Association. While nurses play a crucial role in service delivery in hospitals and health centres, a lot of nurses have migrated overseas due to the lucrative salary. This announcement is bound to attract experienced nurses into our health system. Bravo, PS!

With the increase in the number of patients, nurses pull up their level best to serve members of the public despite the barrage of criticism levelled against them regarding their performance and service delivery. We should try putting ourselves in their shoes and then we will get the reality of life in Fiji’s hospitals and health centres.

I commend the nurses, doctors and other medical staff for doing all within their capacity to ensure that patients are given the best of service. May the good Lord bless you all!

Furthermore, those travelling by sea received good news that Goundar Shipping Ltd added the Lomaiviti Princess III, capable of transporting at least 700 people, to its fleet. Passengers should now expect reliable and better shipping standards thanks to Mr Goundar.

In addition, the children of Dilkusha Children’s Home received a major boost to their school kit when the tourism minister paid them a courtesy visit with stationery, tablets, bags and shoes. Thank you for this act, Mr Koya!

Finally, rugby fans heaved a sigh of relief when it was announced that 7s star Semi Kunatani will be joining the national team ahead of the Wellington and Sydney 7s. Semi’s inclusion will tremendously boost our team’s attacking prowess and defence. But it will all boil down to the level of our preparation as NZ 7s guru Gordon Tietjens, who is looking for pace and size, has been preparing his All Blacks 7s team with the presence of Messam, SBW, Savea, Mikkelson and Ben Lam. Time will be the telling factor!