Fiji - Healthcare (2024)

Overview

Fiji’s healthcare system comprises public and private sectors. There are three main divisional hospitals (Suva, Lautoka, and Labasa), 21 sub-divisional hospitals, 84 health centers, and 99 nursing stations. The standard of public healthcare services is fairly basic and adequate for routine medical problems. Facilities, particularly in the rural or peri-urban areas, are often under-resourced and lacking basic supplies. Fiji’s constitution embeds the right to health as a fundamental right for all Fijians and therefore provides free or subsidized healthcare to its citizens. In remote areas and outer islands, emergency response is extremely limited, and pharmacies often face shortages of supplies and medications. There are private hospitals in Suva and Nadi providing Western-style medical care and a range of medical services. Medical evacuations are mostly to Australia, New Zealand, or India, with the latter being the cheaper alternative in terms of medical costs, though travel time and costs are a disadvantage.

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Fiji

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancers which are often expensive to treat have become prevalent in Fiji. Fiji also faces some important public financing challenges. For example, per capita expenditure on health, and total expenditure on health as a share of GDP, has been noticeably, and consistently, lower than the average for upper-middle income countries globally (Source: DFAT Strategic Review of the Fiji Health Program April 2022).

Leading sub-sectors

  • Ancillary pathology and radiology laboratory services
  • Health information system and technologies
  • Specialist services – disabilities or special needs, rehabilitation, mental health, NCD related care
  • Supply of pharmaceutical products and medical devices

Opportunities

Extensive tax exemptions are offered for businesses to set up private hospitals and ancillary pathology and radiology laboratories. The Fijian government recently announced plans for the refurbishment and upgrade of the Savusavu and Labasa Hospitals. The only major construction will be for the new Rehabilitation Hospital in Tamavua. There are also plans to improve the health sector’s ICT infrastructure and network, and purchase of new equipment for urban and sub-divisional health centers and nursing stations.

Fiji - Healthcare (2024)

FAQs

Does Fiji have a good healthcare system? ›

Health-care facilities in Fiji's urban areas are adequate for routine medical problems. In the rural areas, staff training is limited and there are often shortages of supplies and medications.

Is healthcare in Fiji free? ›

Fiji's constitution embeds the right to health as a fundamental right for all Fijians and therefore provides free or subsidized healthcare to its citizens. In remote areas and outer islands, emergency response is extremely limited, and pharmacies often face shortages of supplies and medications.

What are the challenges faced by health care services in Fiji? ›

The country's health system has faced several challenges, including understaffing, inadequate access to equipment and poor coordination of services. The shortage of skilled healthcare workers in Fiji is one of the major challenges for the health system (Fiji-MoH, 2020).

How to get medical help in Fiji? ›

Fiji
  1. Medical Assistance in Fiji (PDF, 237 KB) ...
  2. For a medical emergency in Fiji, dial 911.
  3. Ambulance service: 910 or 911 or call direct 679-330-2584.
  4. Hospitals and Clinics.
  5. Medical Services Pacific – Suva Clinic. ...
  6. Medical Practitioner's Names and Contact Details.
  7. Suva. ...
  8. Labasa.

Which country is #1 in quality healthcare? ›

Countries With The Best Health Care Systems, 2024
RankCountryHealth Care Index (Overall)
1Taiwan78.72
2South Korea77.7
3Australia74.11
4Canada71.32
76 more rows
Apr 2, 2024

Who has the best healthcare system in the world? ›

France 's healthcare system is ranked #1 by the WHO. This system provides the best overall care to its population : the French population is healthy, lives longer and has an easy access to healthcare services at a low out-of-pocket price.

What country has 100% free healthcare? ›

However, Brazil is the only country in the world that offers free healthcare for all its citizens. Also, Norway is the first country in the world to implement a free healthcare policy as far back as 1912.

What are the levels of healthcare in Fiji? ›

The structure of the health system comprises three levels of care and two main health programmes - primary and preventive health care services and curative health care services - as well various statutory bodies, councils and committees.

Is dental free in Fiji? ›

as we will now also be engaging the private dental. practitioners –– or DPs –– to improve the oral health of. all Fijians, including school-aged children.

What is the biggest issue in Fiji? ›

Over 250,000 people remain trapped below the poverty line in Fiji. Rural and remote island communities are particularly vulnerable, due to lack of access to clean water, sanitation, health care, and other government services.

What issues does Fiji have? ›

It is set in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean and is made up of more than 330 islands. Only 110 of these islands are permanently inhabited with a population of approximately 880,000 people. Fiji faces challenges including high rates of poverty, gender inequality and gender-based violence and inadequate housing.

What are the threats to Fiji? ›

Fiji, which consists of 332 islands including low-lying atolls, has a prominent coastline and thus is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change such as sea-level rises and storm surges. Higher sea levels result in an increase in coastal flooding during storm surges.

Can I bring my medication to Fiji? ›

Call Fiji's embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you. Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Can you get antibiotics in Fiji? ›

Antibiotics cannot help you recover from infections caused by viruses, such as cold or flu. Fijian consumers can easily access their favorite over-the-counter medicine including antimicrobials/antibiotics at any pharmacy in their towns/cities at an affordable price.

What is the main hospital in Fiji? ›

The largest and oldest hospital is the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) in Suva. The second largest hospital is Nadi District Hospital.

Is Fiji a healthy country? ›

When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Fiji achieves 92.1% of what is expected based on its current income. In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves only 77.4% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.

Is Fiji good for living? ›

Fiji is also a safe and stable country, with low crime rates and a strong sense of community. Fiji is predominantly a Christian country, but there are also a lot of Hindus and Muslims living there, which shows that the country has a lot of different cultures.

What are the benefits of living in Fiji? ›

Summary: The pros of living in Fiji include its stunning natural beauty, with white sand beaches, lush rainforests, and crystal clear waters. The people of Fiji are also incredibly friendly and welcoming, making it a great place to make new friends.

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