Fiji Must Act Now for a Healthier Future, Says New World Bank Report

SUVA, November 29, 2024 -Fiji is struggling with a non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis and weak health outcomes that threaten the well-being of its people. To address the crisis, a new World Bank report - Fiji Health Sector Review, "Mo Bulabula, ka Bula Balavu" (Wishing You a Healthy Life and Long Life) - suggests Fiji invests in a more robust and efficient health system.

Fiji has made important achievements, including almost halving its child mortality rate between 1975 and 2020, and low out-of-pocket spending for patients, but its health system faces serious challenges. Burdened by catastrophic rates of NCDs, ailing healthcare infrastructure, and an aging population, Fiji's health sector is not structured or equipped to prevent and manage its diseases.

NCDs now account for 80 percent of deaths in Fiji, and 64 percent of people dying of NCD-related causes are of working age. This crisis costs Fiji around US$260 million (FJD 591 million) a year. Primary healthcare facilities are under-resourced and overstretched, with a handful of hospitals, including the Colonial War Memorial, operating near capacity. The health workforce is unevenly dispersed, with major primary care facilities for densely populated urban areas particularly stretched. In some cases, a single public health nurse is responsible for a catchment area of 30,000 people. If NCD levels continue on their current trajectory, health expenditures could soar to more than 2.5 times their current level in real per capita terms by 2050.

"This review shows that investing in a healthier Fiji is not just a health priority, it's an economic imperative. We are grateful to all of our partners and stakeholders who are working with us to transform Fiji's health sector," said Hon. Professor Biman Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. "It is very timely to inform the implementation of our National Development Plan."

"This report was produced through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Bank. It provides a valuable baseline for policy and decision making," said Hon. Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, Minister for Health and Medical Services. "We have already started to implement some of the policy recommendations. We hope our partners will join us in a coordinated effort to transform Fiji's health sector."

Fiji's health crisis poses a risk to the country's economic achievements and ability to protect the population from financial risks. Without urgent action and investment, households will be forced to spend more of their own resources. The report shows how investing in transformative change for the health sector could boost economic growth by 0.3 percentage points a year.

The targeted actions and reforms outlined in the report would help address the NCD crisis while promoting a healthier future for Fijians. They include redesigning primary healthcare services with modern facilities; accelerating digital health initiatives; and creating a more integrated, technology-enabled hospital network. The report also recommends improving NCD screening and digital registries, promoting healthier lifestyles, and using tax policies to encourage healthier diets.

To support these efforts, the report highlights the importance of retaining and upskilling healthcare workers and ensuring that they are empowered and equipped to meet the needs of the population. Strengthening the public sector's capacity to work effectively with private providers and improving financial management within the health sector are also key priorities.

"We are committed to supporting Fiji in tackling its health crisis and addressing the economic and social costs of NCDs," said Stephen Ndegwa, Country Director for the World Bank for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. "By taking decisive action now, Fiji could not only add 10 years to life expectancy, it would also see some significant economic gains. Transformative change is essential for inclusive economic growth, improved health, and a better quality of life for Fijians."