Bula!
We bring you developments to most of the stories that we have been covering for the past week or so, and more happenings from around the major divisions of the country.
Here’s a sneak peek at the headlines in The Fiji Times for Monday, March 8, 2021.
The main story is about a 22-year-old Lautoka man diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease who says he feels cheated because medical staff in Lautoka did not find out what was wrong with him until it was too late.
Shynal Narayan claimed that despite numerous visits to the Kamikamica Health Centre and Lautoka Hospital, doctors had failed him.
Police proposed Bill
Fijians have endured too much, says Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) Leader, Viliame Gavoka. He made the comment in relation to the proposed Police Bill that was recently launched by the Ministry of Defence and National Security to replace the existing 1965 Police Act.
Fine and jail time
Parent and guardians will face five-year jail term and $10,000 fines if they fail to ensure the safety of their children during a natural or man-made disaster, states the draft Police Bill 2020.
Draft Police Bill 2020
Fiji is descending into the abyss of a police state. Unity Fiji party leader made the statement in response to the draft Police Bill 2020 saying that the focus of the Bill is on the 2022 general election.
Civil Society Organisations Alliance
The Civil Society Organisations Alliance needs to stick to their job, says Attorney-General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum made the comments in response to a call made to the PM by the CSO’s alliance to allow Mr Sayed-Khaiyum a decent rest by delegating his responsibilities.
Reality check
The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum needs a reality check, says National Federation Party President Pio Tikoduadua. He made this comment while responding to Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s appeal to Fijians who were receiving unemployment benefit assistance through the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) to look for employment.
Contact Ministry
You can contact the ministry if your health centre does not provide you with medication or dressings, says Minister for Health and medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete. He made the request to the public following reports of patients leaving health centres with medication and dressings for their ailments.
167 of dialysis patients
To date Fiji has recorded a total of 167 of dialysis patients surviving on the machine reveals the Ministry of Health’s permanent secretary Doctor James Fong. Responding to questions from this newspaper, Dr Fong said of this 106 was from the Central Division while 40 were from the West and 21 cases in Labasa.
Search for models
Fashion Week hosted their first model auditions in Suva. Fiji Fashion week public relations manager Lice Movono said they were in search of 35 new models.
School bullying
Perpetrators of bullying in schools are merely acting on the orders of senior students who give orders for the execution of punishments on victims. Ratu Kadavulevu School Parents Teachers Association(PTA) president Jovesa Korovulavula said these were the targets of their workshop
COVID19 restrictions changes
Changes to Fiji’s COVID19 restrictions would be determined by the impact of the vaccines on transmission, says Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary Dr James Fong. He said as the country prepares to carry out a massive vaccination program, restrictions would remain until research data stated otherwise.
Animal rescue
Another animal rescue was carried out this week by the administrators of the Greater Good Foundation in Ba where a dog stuffed into a sack was retrieved from the Ba market.
COVID-19 vaccines
Only 20 per cent of Fiji’s population would be guaranteed to receive the AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccines. Under the current agreement with the multi-country COVAX Facility, each developing country would receive enough doses to vaccinate 20 per cent of their population.
International Women’s Day
Violence against women and girls continues to increase and anecdotal evidence shows this is because of the patriarchal society that we live in, says the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC). FWCC co-ordinator Shamima Ali said as the world marks International Women’s Day on March 8, collective action must be taken to demand accountability for crimes against women and girls in the country.
Samoa High Commissioner presents credentials
President Jioji Konusi Konrote received the first Resident High Commissioner of the Independent State of Samoa to Fiji Aliioaiga Elisaia at the State House in Suva on March 5.
the Nadi branch held in Votualevu. Picture: BALJEET SINGH
FLP vying to form government
The Fiji Labour party is vying to form government for a third time. This according to Party Leader Mahendra Pal Chaudhary. He made this statement during the party’s annual general meeting for the Nadi branch held in Votualevu recently.
IN SPORTS:
Naulago hatrick saves Bears
Bristol Bears Fijian find turned saviour Siva Naulago’s hat-trick was enough to see the Gallagher Premiership leaders hold a 24-23 win over the bottom placed Worcester Warriors during their round 12 match at Sixways Stadium in England on the weekend.
Suva, Lautoka lead Digicel Premier League
In the tale of two cities, defending Digicel Premier League champion Suva and western giants Lautoka are currently tied at top of the points table with round one done and dusted on the weekend.
Rewa women start on winning note
Rewa Football Association began its 2021 Digicel Women’s Super League campaign on a high note after beating neighbours Tailevu Naitasiri 2-0 in the opening round at the ANZ Stadium in Suva yesterday.
Suva beats Rewa
Digicel Premier League defending champion Suva started its 2021 campaign on the right foot with a classy 1-0 finish against Rewa during the season opener at the ANZ Stadium yesterday.
Sponsors support football development
Digicel Fiji chief executive officer Farid Mohammed says their sponsorship with Fiji Football Association is timely with the launch of the Digicel Women’s Super League ahead of the International Women’s Day this week.
Ruthless Crusaders
The Crusaders put on a ruthless display to pick up a bonus point 33-16 victory over the Hurricanes yesterday to maintain their winning start to Super Rugby Aotearoa at Christchurch Stadium in New Zealand.
