TEACHERS are in a unique position to improve perceptions of health and promote good habits among students and other members of the community.
Permanent secretary for Health Luke Rokovada made the comments at a Fijian Teachers Association health awareness workshop in Suva, and this was published by The Fiji Times on April 20, 1998.
The workshop was organised by the association’s welfare branch for members interested in learning more about health issues affecting families.
Mr Rokovada said the country was largely affected by non-infectious diseases that were caused by lifestyles and habits, which largely depended on people’s awareness of health and prevention.
The move, he said, showed the union’s commitment to prevent health problems before they start and, in the process, kept the nation’s families healthy
Meanwhile, Health Minister Leo Smith said prevention was better than cure, and more cooperation between all members of the community could save the country a lot of resources.
The plan was going to undertake an ambitious plan to be funded by the Tobacco Tax, which was based around five main action points — development of policy, legislation and regulation, social marketing, community and organisational development, capacity development, capacity building, and research.
