Any campaign to fight non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension, the region’s biggest health challenge, deserves applause.
With that in mind, the Raiwaqa Medical Area Health Expo 2024 serves as a powerful symbol of hope and should be seen also as a call to action. In fact we should be looking at more of such events to drive through the need to fight NCDs.
We should be looking at strategies to get this message through effectively to the masses.
Dr Jemesa Tudravu, the Health Ministry’s acting permanent secretary, hit the nail on the head when he said the battle demands a united front.
The Raiwaqa Health Centre, serving people across Laucala Bay, Raiwaqa, and Raiwai areas, should not be shouldering this burden alone.
We have spoken about NCDs so many times before and highlighted the need for us all to be engaged.
Partnerships are key here, and should involve local businesses, health stakeholders, and, most importantly, the community itself. We hope this latest development will be seen as a positive one, and every effort is made to spread it across the nation.
We hope it is replicated across divisions and we believe it will aid in changing the mindset and getting more people engaged in the war against NCDs.
Dr Tudravu’s gratitude to the Raiwaqa health care team will no doubt be shared by every Fijian concerned about their health.
It makes sense that many people are concerned about their health. The Raiwaqa expo’s promise lies in its potential to initiate long-term solutions.
Let’s face it, empowered communities mean more knowledge about NCDs, and more engagement.
That will mean a better outcome for us as a nation in terms of our health, and subsequently productivity on the work front.
The expo can lay the groundwork for community-driven initiatives, tailored to address specific local needs and challenges.
The knowledge gleaned from the expo, coupled with readily available support systems, can empower individuals to take charge of their health.
We hope what will come out of such initiatives will see more awareness about issues such as diets, and better understanding and appreciation of medical options and medicines.
We need to be aware of options that are available for us. We also look up to the powers that be to consider policies and factors that can empower us and assist us to make healthy choices.
Right now, it may not be cheap for every Fijian to opt for a healthy diet.
However, there is hope that we will all be empowered to make choices within our budgets.
The challenge now is laying the foundation for more awareness right across the nation.
