The National Wellness Strategic Plan 2023-2030 is Fiji’s solution to achieving non-communicable diseases prevention goals and targets.
While speaking at the World Health Summit in Australia, Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu said while socioeconomic changes, development, and urbanisation in Fiji had improved healthcare access and living standards, it had also contributed to unhealthy behaviours and increased NCDs.
He said Fiji would need to strengthen its collaborations with international health organisations and invest in sustainable healthcare education and infrastructure to tackle those health challenges.
Dr Lalabalavu was speaking during the plenary discussion on ‘Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Syndrome in the Asia Pacific’.
He said there was a need to take a holistic approach to health in Fiji, which involved prioritising preventive care measures while ensuring access to management for those with existing medical conditions.
“This would help to prevent complications,” he said.
He said educating communities could help individuals make informed health decisions and reduce the prevalence of diseases caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices.
“Investing in research specific to Fiji’s demographic and environmental context would yield interventions more suited to the country’s unique needs.”
