We have made great progress against several leading causes of death and disease. Life expectancy has increased dramatically; infant and maternal mortality rates have declined, we’ve turned the tide on HIV and malaria deaths have halved.
Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda reflects the complexity and interconnectedness of the two. It takes into account widening economic and social inequalities, rapid urbanization, threats to the climate and the environment, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases, and emerging challenges such as non-communicable diseases. Universal health coverage will be integral to achieving SDG 3, ending poverty and reducing inequalities. Emerging global health priorities not explicitly included in the SDGs, including antimicrobial resistance, also demand action.
But the world is off-track to achieve the health-related SDGs. Progress has been uneven, both between and within countries. There’s a 31-year gap between the countries with the shortest and longest life expectancies. And while some countries have made impressive gains, national averages hide that many are being left behind. Multisectoral, rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches are essential to address inequalities and to build good health for all.
The Fiji National University’s (FNU), College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ (CMNHS) is involved in a joint multi-institutional research study in Fiji to characterise the virus diversity in contaminated water samples from Suva focusing mainly on SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19. CMNHS Department of Pathology and Medical Lab Science academics Taina Naivalu and...Read More
The Fiji National University’s (FNU), College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ (CMNHS) conducted waste management, health, and sanitation training with selected villagers through the Watershed Interventions for Systems Health (WISH) Fiji project. A multi-sectoral project, WISH is the first of its kind for Fiji, and is taking an integrated and preventative approach to...Read More
The Fiji National University (FNU) Sports and Wellness Centre at Nasinu Campus is available for use by FNU alumni and community members, in addition to the University’s students and staff. FNU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr William May said the sports complex, which was officially opened by the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum,...Read More
Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum commended the Fiji National University (FNU) for enhancing the student learning experience following the opening of the state-of-the-art Sports and Wellness Centre at Nasinu Campus. Hon Sayed-Khaiyum officiated as Chief Guest during the event and was joined by the Guest of Honour, Minister for Education, Heritage and...Read More
The Fiji National University’s (FNU) newly established Communicable Disease Research Centre (CDRC) is set to deliver advanced knowledge in the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of communicable diseases in Fiji and the Pacific island countries. The Communicable Disease Research Centre (CDRC) has been formed through collaboration between FNU’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences...Read More
Fiji National University (FNU) staff and students can access specialised healthcare services following the establishment of a partnership with Medical Services Pacific (MSP). MSP clinics are located in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa and offer youth-centred programmes, as well as working with high risk and vulnerable groups to increase awareness and access to key clinical and...Read More
Solutions to a drug-free Fiji needs to be people-centred, people-based and people owned, shared Drug Free World Fiji founder Kalesi Volatabu during a Fiji National University (FNU) drug awareness session. Volatabu said the abuse of drugs by Fijians of various ages, gender and socio-economic backgrounds highlighted the severity of the issue. “It is a...Read More
The Fiji National University (FNU) will now be able to offer psychosocial support to students and staff in rural or remote areas after strengthening its partnership with the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Through the partnership, FWCC will provide both face to face and phone counselling to FNU...Read More
Having positive coping mechanisms to help deal with one’s emotions during stressful situations can help people deal with issues and maintain positive mental health. Fiji National University (FNU), College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ (CMNHS) academic, Dr Balram Pandit said there were various factors that people could address earlier on before they feel...Read More
Breast Cancer is one of the leading cause of death amongst women in Fiji. According to the Fiji National University (FNU) Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr William May, 96 women were diagnosed with breast cancer at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital last year. Dr May revealed the latest statistics while speaking during the launch of the...Read More
Mental health awareness campaigns need to emphasise the importance of being a good listener and taking time-out to listen to those going through a difficult phase in their life. These are the thoughts of Fiji National University’s (FNU) Bachelor of Nursing student, Simran Shivani. The final year student believes not having a good listener available...Read More
Community awareness and engagement activities are an important component of the Fiji National University’s (FNU) learning and teaching delivery to ensure its students receive comprehensive and quality education. Community visits are a vital part of learning for students at the University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ (CMNHS), as it allows the medical...Read More
Life gets busy and sometimes chaotic as everyone juggles with work, family, studies and other commitments. It is easy to get pre-occupied with daily struggles without taking time out to appreciate life. These are the comments of Fiji National University (FNU) Counsellor Varsha Naidu who believes it is important for everyone to occasionally pause,...Read More
The Fiji National University (FNU) has beefed up its efforts to raise awareness on suicide and actions that can be taken to prevent such tragedies. While launching FNU’s ‘Mental Health Awareness Month’ today, Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr William May highlighted the alarming statistics on suicide-related deaths in Fiji. “The data from the Fiji Police Force shows...Read More
The Fiji National University’s (FNU) Labasa Campus organised a five-kilometre Walk for Health during the weekend to promote a healthy lifestyle and engage the community in an ongoing fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). About 120 participants from the university, government ministries, businesses and local communities, participated in the fun event. Members from the Fiji Police...Read More
Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the Pacific Islands – it affects the health and wellbeing of children, increases their risk of diabetes and heart disease in later life. These were the comments of Dr William May, Dean of College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) at Fiji National University (FNU). Speaking at...Read More
The College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ (CMNHS’) Department of Medical Imaging & Anatomy is using the Fiji National University’s (FNU’s) Wellness Program in a robust and unique manner to create a health culture and tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The staff change into sportswear after clocking-off from work to participate in an hour long...Read More