Asia and Oceania
Fiji
Last reviewed: 24 July 2008
Country information
FIJI TODAY
Country Facts
Area: 18,333 sq km (11,385 sq miles)
Population: 827,900 (unofficial 2007 Census)
Capital City: Suva
Main Ethnic Groups: Fijian, Indian, European, other Pacific Islanders and Chinese
Languages: English (official), numerous Fijian dialects, Gujarati and Fijian Hindi
Main Religions: Christian, Hindu and Muslim
Currency: Fijian dollar (FJD)
Major Political Parties: Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (United Fijian Party) SDL, Fiji Labour Party (FLP), United Peoples' Party (UPP), National Federation Party (NFP), National Alliance Party (NAP) (NB: Fiji is currently under the administration of a military-led “Interim Government”. None of the political parties listed is therefore politically active at present. In addition, Fiji is without a Parliament or a Vice President. The United Kingdom does not recognise as legitimate Fiji's present government - which is comprised of an Interim Prime Minister, who is also the Military Commander, and 12 Interim Ministers.)
Government: At present, the non-elected Interim Government. Usually a Bicameral Parliament (Senate, consisting of 31 appointed members, and House of Representatives, consisting of 71 elected members). A President and Vice President, appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs, head the Executive. The President in turn appoints the Prime Minister, and on the advice of the PM appoints Ministers who must be members of the Senate or the House of Representatives.
President: Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda MBE MF JP
Interim Prime Minister: Military Commander, Commodore Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama
Foreign Minister:Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Membership of international groups/organisations: Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Commonwealth (but suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth on 9 December 2006), Colombo Plan, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G77), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, (ICFTU), International Development Association, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Intelsat), Interpol, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), International Standards for Organisation (ISO) (subscriber), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARTECA), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Island Forum (PIF), United Nations (UN), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), World Trade Organisation (WTO).
HEALTH
Fiji's health system compares relatively well with other Pacific Island nations. The country's health status met or exceeded most of the World Health Organisation's goals for the year 2000. The government's focus for health lies in preventative care. At the same time, there is, however, recognition of curative health care needs that support the preventative focus. This awareness was reflected in Qarese's decision (after the 2006 election result) to split the Cabinet health portfolio and appoint a Minister for Preventative Health and a Minister for Curative Health. Bainimarama reversed this decision. HIV/AIDS is increasingly recognised as a serious threat and Non-Governmental Organisations are active in raising awareness of the problem. The Health Ministry responded swiftly and efficiently to 2 contagious outbreaks in 2006 (measles and mumps), ensuring that epidemics did not result. Avian flu has not been found in Fiji, but some authorities have taken steps to prepare themselves on a contingency basis. Life Expectancy (2001) was 68 years for Indo-Fijian and Fijian males, 66 years for Fijian women and 68 years for Indo-Fijian women. Fiji currently has 1 doctor per 2,300 people.
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