.png)
Counting Coral
Fiji’s healthcare system faces several challenges, mainly due to its unique geographical, economic, and social circumstances.
World Health Initiatives is partnering with Counting Coral to tackle the lack of health care and clean drinking water plaguing Fiji and hindering the country's barriers of growth and well-being.
Geographical Barriers
Fiji is an archipelago with over 300 islands, making healthcare access difficult, especially for those living in remote or outer islands.
Limited transportation infrastructure often leads to delays in emergency care and difficulties in delivering medical supplies to remote areas.
75% of Fiji’s population lives on the coastline, exposing them to rising sea levels and the risk of saltwater intrusion, poor wound care, infections, and illnesses.
healthcare infastructure
Inadequate Facilities
Many healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas, are outdated and lack essential equipment and supplies.
Overcrowding in Hospitals
Major hospitals in urban areas often face overcrowding, leading to long waiting times and strain on healthcare workers.
Impact
of a
dollar.
The WHI Medical Clinic, which allows us to provide citizens from all three of our active villages with much-needed checkups and medical care, costs approximately $10,000- $15,000 to build. This is a one-time expense that can provide these communities with an opportunity to receive the quality of life they deserve. To ensure this facility is built as soon as possible, WHI has pledged to match every donation put towards this project.
Once built, the clinic will require $2,000 a month to maintain and run. Specifically, costs will be allocated to acquiring medical supplies and paying the wages of the doctors, nurses, and our FMTs so that they can continue their monthly visits.
World Health Initiatives understands that any charitable organization is only as impactful as its ability to stretch a dollar. That is why we aim for maximum transparency with you and all other potential donors so that everyone can understand exactly where their dollar is going.
The water filtration systems we’re building through our partnership cost approximately $7,000-$9,000 to build. Once built, these systems can last community years of clean and safe drinking water, keeping and aiding citizens with hydration benefits while eliminating the numerous issues experienced by contaminated and bad water. As we continue to receive donations, we plan to install these systems in every community we work with.
Workforce Shortages
Lack of Skilled Professionals
There is a shortage of doctors, nurses, and specialized healthcare professionals. This shortage is exacerbated by the migration of skilled healthcare workers to other countries for better opportunities.
Training & Retention
Limited opportunities for advanced training and professional development contribute to the challenge of retaining skilled healthcare workers.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
High Prevalence of NCDs
Fiji has a high burden of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. These conditions are often linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use.
Limited Resources for NCD Management
The healthcare system is often underprepared to manage chronic conditions, leading to high rates of complications and mortality.
Impact of
Clean Water
By facilitating a clean source of water for thousands of Fijians, WHI can lower the risk of dehydration and lessen the effects of aggressive tropical climates.
Our WHI Field Medical Teams are helping communities that have already suffered and are looking to eradicate the issues caused by saltwater intrusion.
Challege: Saltwater Intrusion
Saltwater intrusion’s risks and dangers to Fiji have grown over the years. According to a 2023 Stimson Center report, Fiji’s saltwater intrusion risk level is medium-high. This comes with the risk of contaminated drinking water, the destruction of many agricultural hubs, and a reduction in biodiversity.
Challenge: Tropical Climate
In globally hot and tropical climates, the problems caused by a lack of clean water are amplified, as many individuals are exposed to the hot sun, intensifying their dehydration. To make matters worse, climate change is only expected to increase these challenges over the next few years.
Solution: WHI Field Medical Teams
WHI’s Field Medical Teams visit villages and communities geographically hindered from receiving medical services and necessary supplies, ensuring villages receive the health care they need
Solution: Water Filtration Systems
In addition, an intervening source of clean water can improve thousands of lives, especially in a country like Fiji. WHI is working diligently with its global water partners to find an effective source of intervention that can achieve that potential for change.
According to The World Bank,
73% of Fijians do not have access to clean drinking water.
Infectious Diseases
Communicable Diseases
Fiji also faces challenges with infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, dengue fever, and more recently, COVID-19. Controlling outbreaks can be difficult due to limited public health resources and infrastructure.
Vaccine Coverage
Ensuring widespread vaccine coverage, especially in remote areas, remains a challenge.
Health Financing
Limited Funding
Fiji’s healthcare system is primarily funded by the government, but the allocation is often insufficient to meet the growing demands of the population.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Despite government support, there are still significant out-of-pocket costs for patients, particularly for specialized treatments and medications.
Public Health Education
Health Literacy
Many Fijians have limited awareness of health issues, preventive measures, and the importance of early treatment, contributing to the high burden of preventable diseases.
Cultural & Traditional Beliefs
In some communities, traditional beliefs and practices can hinder the acceptance of modern medical treatments.
Healthcare Accessibility and Equity
Urban-Rural Disparities
There is a significant disparity in healthcare access between urban and rural populations, with those in rural areas often receiving lower-quality care.
Indigenous & Vulnerable Populations
Indigenous Fijians and other vulnerable groups may face additional barriers to accessing healthcare, including language barriers and cultural insensitivity in healthcare provision.
