Australia to Provide F$27.6Million Over Next Three Years for New Ministry of Health Program

Media Release

Australia to provide F$27.6million over next three years for new Ministry of Health program

26 August 2011

Australia is to provide a total of F$27.6 million (A$15m) to the Ministry of Health over the next three years as Phase One of the new five-year-long Fiji Health Sector Support Program (FHSSP).

The FHSSP replaces the Australian government-funded Fiji Health Support Improvement Program (FHSIP) which ended in 2010.

Launching the new program in Suva last night, Australia’s Acting High Commissioner, Ms Judith Robinson, said it will offer significant support to primary health care in Fiji.

“It is a dynamic program and we are confident it will provide the Ministry of Health with the level of support required to address issues related to infant and maternal mortality and the management of diabetes,” Ms Robinson said.

Working with the Ministry of Health, the FHSSP aims to:  Expand safe motherhood programs to rural areas  Strengthen infant immunization and the management of childhood illnesses  Improve the prevention and management of diabetes and hypertension throughout the country  Establish effective networks of village and community health workers  Provide the support needed by the Ministry of Health to achieve its goals of decentralizing its services.

“ These areas are extremely worthy of support and the Australian Government is pleased to be working with the Ministry of Health in its efforts to improve health services throughout the country,” Ms Robinson said.

Under the new Fiji Health Sector Support Program, the Australian government, through AusAID, will provide a total of A$25million over the next five years. The program will be managed by Australian company JTA International.

Company director Dr Jane Thomason said her energetic and experienced team looked forward to implementing the new program. “We see this as a great responsibility and opportunity and we thank AusAID and Fiji for their confidence.

“We look forward to working to deliver a responsive and flexible program of support targeting key health outcomes,” Dr Thomason sad.

**ENDS**