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Asia and Oceania
Fiji |
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Last reviewed: 17 May 2011 |
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 Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics; Minister for Public Service, People’s Charter for Change and Progress; Minister for Information, National Archives and Library Services, Minister for I-Taukei, Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs; Minister for Sugar and Acting Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources. He is also the Chairman of the Native Lands Trust Board.
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. Primary health care involves the provision of primary medical treatment, preventative medicine and health education. About 95% of the primary medical care is provided by doctors in government hospitals, health centres and nursing stations throughout the country. They are complemented by general practitioners in private practice in most urban centres. The hospitals, health centres and nursing stations provide outpatient medical treatment, antenatal and postnatal care, family planning and development and screening of children. Divisional hospitals provide screening for cancer of the breast and cervix, immunisation, clinical laboratory facilities, health education and dental care. Psychiatric care is provided in a separate institution. All school children are medically examined at regular intervals by school health teams. The public is encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles to ensure their well being and to learn proper use of health services through media, publications, audio visuals and counselling. Nutrition, a major determinant of health is being addressed by the Food and Nutrition Committee established by government to encourage the public to adopt better and healthier eating habits. 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 is affected in some way.
The government continues to push for improved curative services. The focus has been on the quality of treatment provided, staffing, upgrading of existing facilities and the provision of equipment and technologies to meet current demands. There are a total of around 307 doctors in the public service providing inpatient and ambulatory care. The private hospital system is also emerging an alternative means of medical care provision. Government continues to acknowledge and encourage the private sector which supplements the efforts of the Ministry of Health. There is also a private hospital located in Suva.
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.
