In the heart of the South Pacific, our beloved Fiji is confronted with a silent peril.
Although tourists throng to our shores for the pristine beaches and warm hospitality, three formidable diseases — leptospirosis, dengue fever, and typhoid fever – lurk in the shadows of our tropical paradise.
I am a youthful citizen concerned about the future and believe we must confront these challenges head-on.
Our hands unite us in our vibrant communities, from the teeming markets of Suva to the rural villages. We utilise them to prepare lovo, share kava, weave mats, and nourish our children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Nevertheless, these same hands have the potential to transmit disease unintentionally.
Alarming statistics were disclosed in a recent media release issued by the Ministry of Health in Fiji. This year, there were 1245 cases of leptospirosis, 2,033 cases of dengue, and 78 cases of typhoid.
Individuals are not the only ones affected by these diseases; an episode of any of these diseases impacts entire families.
I am profoundly concerned about the fact that 3358 households were impacted.
The essence of Fiji’s attractiveness is not merely its landscapes but also its populace’s fortitude. Our concept of vanua, which emphasises the interdependence of people, land, and tradition, offers a potent framework for addressing these health concerns.
Leptospirosis: Reclaiming Our Waters
Leptospirosis flourishes in our lush landscapes and abundant waters and is transmitted through contact with contaminated water or soil. Rats are frequently the perpetrators with whom we unknowingly co-exist. Our immediate attention is required to address this bacterial infection.
The bacteria can endure in our warm, moist environment for weeks, transforming our picturesque streams, rivers, and flood waters into potential health hazards.
Handwashing with soap must become a cultural standard, particularly after farming or fishing, to combat leptospirosis.
It is imperative that our villages and settlements prioritise the clearing of drainage systems and the prevention of water from accumulating.
Floodwaters should be regarded as potential hazards during cyclone seasons. The sectors such as farming, fishery and poultry must reclaim the watersheds.
Dengue Fever: Outsmarting the Mosquitoes
Our tropical climate provides an optimal reproductive environment for dengue fever, transmitted by the persistent Aedes mosquito. Its influence on the tourism industry and our communities could not be exaggerated. We should declare war on mosquito reproductive sites. Mosquito populations can be substantially diminished through the implementation of consistent community clean-ups, the removal of water-collecting containers, and the covering of water barrels. Utilising mosquito repellents and nets, particularly during dawn and dusk, can offer essential protection and prevent epidemics. By implementing these measures, we safeguard our tourism industry and ourselves from the spectre of health warnings.
Typhoid Fever: Safeguarding Our Food and Water
Typhoid fever, transmitted through contaminated food and water, challenges our conventional lifestyles and underscores the pressing necessity for enhanced sanitation and food safety protocols. It is imperative that we implement secure drinking water practices on a universal scale. Boiling water or employing purification methods should become second nature, regardless of whether one is in Suva or a remote village. Additionally, we must enhance our food hygiene standards by ensuring that traditional lovo dishes are thoroughly cooked, and caution is exercised when consuming street food during festivals. These straightforward yet efficient measures can substantially diminish the dissemination of typhoid in our communities.
Shifting our Focus: Prevention rather than Cure
The shift from treating and medical care for the sick to community engagement to eradicate the causes of this disease will avert epidemics in the communities in the future. However, a larger and more visible collaboration must be invested in each community for the shift. To establish a culture of handwashing, care for drinking water, food preparation styles, protective farm and fishing gear, and waste disposal methods, the government must invest in innovative initiatives for people to adapt to the culture. The focus must begin from the legislation and seep into all social, economic and political spheres. However, there is no denying that many of these shifts must begin from home. The imperative point is that there must be a shift in the ideology that prevention is better than cure when it comes to health.
A Call for Systemic Change
Although individual and communal efforts are essential, it is imperative for our leaders to take the initiative to prevent epidemics. I urge our leaders, government representatives, and healthcare professionals to advocate for this initiative. Investment in enhanced hygiene and sanitation, increased healthcare accessibility on remote islands, and resilient early warning systems for disease epidemics are essential. These are not luxuries but essential requirements for a prosperous Fiji. Leaders must prioritise public health measures, commit funding for infrastructure enhancements, and undertake extensive educational programs to increase knowledge of these diseases and their prevention.
The Fiji We Envision
Imagine a Fiji where the tourism industry thrives without the looming spectre of health warnings, and children can play freely in our waters without fear of disease. Our national productivity is at an all-time high due to the health and resilience of our populace. If we act now, we can achieve this vision. We are not merely preventing disease when we empty a container of stagnant water or boil our potable water; we are also safeguarding our way of life for future generations. The mana of Fiji is not solely located in our land and sea but also in our people. By collaborating, we have the capacity to establish a more prosperous, secure, and healthier Fiji.
A Call to Action: Protect Our Paradise
Our strength has always been our communities. The concept of solesolevaki, which is our traditional practice of collaborating for the common welfare, has the potential to be a powerful tool in our battle against these diseases. We can arrange for routine village clean-ups where all residents contribute to removing potential mosquito breeding sites. Our water sources can be maintained cleanly and safely by implementing community watch programs that ensure everyone adheres to appropriate hygienic practices. By leveraging our robust community connections, we can establish a grassroots movement that is sustainable and dedicated to improving health.
Education is essential in our fight against these diseases. We must guarantee that all Fijians, from our youngest to our esteemed elders, comprehend the hazards and the most effective methods for safeguarding their families. Schools’ curricula should include comprehensive health awareness, instructing students on the importance of appropriate hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and disease prevention.
Community leaders and health workers in urban centres and villages should conduct regular seminars and information sessions. Our individuals are empowered to take responsibility for their health and contribute to the community’s overall well-being by being equipped with knowledge.
In addition to being a health concern, the fight against leptospirosis, dengue fever, and typhoid is also economic. The productivity of our workforce can be significantly reduced, and the devastating effects of these diseases can strain the healthcare system. Investing in prevention and early intervention can result in substantial savings of resources over the long term. Medical expense continues to be a great burden for any economy, and every effort must go into keeping the populace healthy. Healthy citizens are more productive, miss fewer workdays, and significantly contribute to our country’s economy.
Climate Change: Dual Adversity
The threat of climate change further complicates the fight against these maladies. Dengue can be transmitted through the expansion of disease-carrying mosquito habitats and the increased frequency of flooding, which raises temperatures and changing rainfall patterns excavates. It is imperative that we incorporate these environmental changes into our health strategies. This entails adapting our immediate responses and considering sustainable development practices that can mitigate the impact of climate change on public health in the long term.
Conclusion
As we address these health challenges, we can serve as a model for other Pacific Island nations grappling with similar health challenges. We can pioneer regional public health initiatives by formulating effective strategies and sharing our experiences. This fosters stronger international relationships and potential partnerships for further development while also strengthening Fiji’s position as a leader in the Pacific and assisting our neighbours.
Fijians have never feared a challenge, although the road ahead may appear formidable. Our history is replete with tales of resilience, of communities uniting to surmount adversity. It is no different in this instance. By integrating contemporary scientific knowledge with our traditional values of mutual support, community, and social structures, we can establish a potent force for positive health changes. We are all responsible for educating our children about hygiene, supporting community health initiatives, or maintaining cleanliness in our residences.
It is time to safeguard our sanctuary. Let us act today for Fiji and all who reside on these islands. Our nation is simply too magnificent to settle for anything less than our complete dedication to developing a safer and healthier future.
By working together, we can guarantee that Fiji remains a tourist paradise and a refuge of health and prosperity for all its residents. We all aspire to a nation where health, happiness, and harmony are abundant in every household and community. It is within our power to shape our future, so let us exercise it wisely and establish Fiji.
Anabia Mumtaz attends Central Primary School in Lautoka, Fiji, and is an Year 8 Green Student. Her opinions do not reflect those of the newspaper or her school. This is a revised version of her oratory competition organised by the Ministry of Health at the Girmit Centre, where she got the first prize under primary school categories.
