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Asia and Oceania
Fiji |
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Last reviewed: 11 September 2009 |
Country information
Fiji Today
Country facts
Area: 18,333 sq km (11,385 sq miles)
Population: 837,271 (Fiji National Census of Population 2007)
Capital city: Suva
Main ethnic groups: Fijian, Indian, European, other Pacific Islanders and Chinese
Languages: English (official), numerous Fijian dialects, Hindi
Main religions: Christian, Hindu and Muslim
Currency: Fiji dollar (FJD)
Major political parties at last elections: Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (United Fijian Party) (SDL), Fiji Labour Party (FLP), United Peoples' Party (UPP), National Federation Party (NFP).
Government: Fiji is currently under the administration of a military-led Interim Government. Fiji is without a Parliament or a constitution and is under rule by Presidential decree.
Acting President: Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Interim Prime Minister: Commodore Voreqe 'Frank' Bainimarama (Bainimarama is also the Military Commander, and the Interim Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Finance, Sugar and also Chairman of the Native Land Trust Board and Great Council of Chiefs)
Interim Foreign Minister: Ratu Inoke Kubuabola
Membership of international groups/organisations: Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Commonwealth (but suspended from the Commonwealth on 01 September 2009), 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) (but suspended on 2 May 2009), 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.Inadequate health financing and shortage of health workers hamper Fiji primary health care efforts. 70-80% of the population has access to health services but only 40% have access to quality health services. Better government policy is needed to achieve health for all.
There are 900 village clinics, 124 nursing stations, three area hospitals, 75 health centres, 19 sub-divisional medical centres and three divisional hospitals and three speciality hospitals with TB, leprosy and medical rehabilitation units at Tamavua Hospital and St. Giles Mental Hospital in the country. There is also a Private Hospital located in Suva. The top five causes of death are related to circulatory conditions, endocrine, disorders like diabetes, cancers, respiratory problems and injuries. Diabetes is a devastating disease in Fiji and estimates reveal that one in every 8 people are affected in some way. The 2006 health worker to population ratio was 1:2,344 for doctors, 1:500 for nurses, 1:20,000 for dentists and 1:13,000 for dental therapists. Increasing demand for services has led to an expansion in the number of private general practioners and specialists practising in Fiji.
A valid Yellow Fever certificate is required by all travellers over one year old who have been in an infected area prior to arrival in Fiji.
