Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Penioni Koliniwai Ravunawa says respecting and understanding people’s mother languages is vital to building trust, particularly in the delivery of healthcare services.
Speaking during the International Mother Language Day run in Suva yesterday, Mr Ravunawa said language was more than a tool for communication — it carried identity, history and tradition.
“Our mother tongue is the foundation of who we are. It connects generations and preserves our traditions,” Mr Ravunawa said.
He commended the organisers for promoting cultural awareness alongside healthy living, adding that partnerships between Fiji and India continued to benefit communities through cooperation in health, education, agriculture and capacity building.
“Partnerships such as these strengthen people-to-people ties and reinforce our shared values of respect and inclusion.”
Mr Ravunawa shared a personal experience from his early medical career to demonstrate how language strengthened relationships between health professionals and patients.
“When I started work in Labasa, I didn’t know any Hindi words. When I began greeting my elderly patients with simple words like ‘Ram Ram’ and asking how they were, they began to relate to me.”
He said communicating in a patient’s own language helped foster trust, enhance understanding and contribute to improved health outcomes.
“Communication in one’s own language builds trust, improves understanding and supports better health outcomes. Inclusion begins with being heard and being understood.”
Mr Ravunawa said Fiji’s multicultural and multilingual landscape remained one of its greatest strengths.
“When we respect each other’s language, we build deeper understanding and unity. When we encourage young people to learn their mother tongue, we give them confidence and pride in their identity.”
He urged communities to continue preserving their languages while working together to build “a healthy, inclusive and united society”.
