Students at FNU’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS).

Public health specialists play a crucial role in a nation’s healthcare system as they research illnesses and diseases and assist medical professionals in detecting and preventing infectious diseases, including in times such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Health professionals who wish to gain further skills and knowledge in this field can do so by enrolling at the Fiji National University’s (FNU), College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) in the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (Quota Based) course.

Offered by the College’s, School of School of Public Health and Primary Care, the programme is offered online to local and regional students and is tailored to their learning schedule.

Lecturer and Programme Coordinator for Public Health, Dr Mosese Salusalu, said the six-unit programme could be undertaken full-time for a year or part-time for 1.5 years.

“The programme is designed for workers who would want a quick turnaround in securing a postgraduate, for instance, take a one-year leave to complete their qualifications or work and learn,” Dr Salusalu said.

“The course will also equip the students with knowledge on the basics of various aspects of public health and students will be able to apply statistical and epidemiological methods to a range of public health issues occurring among pacific populations, demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills in a selected area of study chosen from Applied Epidemiology, Health Promotion or Health Service Management.”

“Our graduates will also be able to evaluate the integrity and comparability of data and identifies gaps in data sources and apply ethical principles to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.”

Dr Salusalu said the programme was relevant to the health needs of Fiji and other Pacific countries as it provided an overview of public health issues in the Pacific, including traditional practices, as well as the vulnerable population such as the poor, minorities, the elderly and those who are prone to suffer from infectious as well as lifestyle diseases.

The advice of local and overseas experts was also sought during the design of the course hence students can be assured they will receive quality and relevant expertise through the course, he added.

“The programme will certainly prepare students for times of emergency and for further Masters studies if they wish to do so.”

Interested students can enrol now for Semester 2 studies by visiting the FNU website on www.fnu.ac.fj to learn more.

Prospective students can also text on 857 or email on admission@fnu.ac.fj if they face difficulties completing the process online or need further information about enrolment.