Health sectors in the region have been urged to take a proactive role in disaster risk reduction and enhance partnership amongst governments, communities and organisations.
Speaking at the opening of the Disaster Risk Management for Health (DRM-H) in Pacific Island Countries and Areas in Nadi today, Minister for Health, Dr Neil Sharma said with 10 of the top 20 countries most exposed to natural hazards falling in the Western Pacific Region, it is vital to focus on prevention, preparedness, response to and recovery.
The 3-day workshop, which has in attendance close to 60 participants from 20 countries, is organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Highlighting the Health Ministry’s approach to disaster management, Dr Sharma said ensuring the safety of health facilities during disasters was a priority.
“Periodic inspections of all health facilities are conducted. Planning of new facilities is carefully conducted to avoid future hazards. We are also in the process of moving our last health facility to higher ground as part of our capital developments,” Dr Sharma said.
The Ministry of Health also worked closely with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to ensure that people at risk were well prepared.
There have been 36 recorded natural disasters in Fiji since 1980, with 221 fatalities and economic damage of over $1billion.
WHO Pacific director, Dr Liu Yunguo said Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu are among the top 15 highest risk countries in the world because of frequent floods, drought, tropical cyclone and earthquakes.
Dr Yunguo highlighted that disaster preparedness and response capacities in the health sector have improved in recent years, however some challenges remain.
“One of the key challenges for the ministries of health in the Pacific is how to lead and coordinate the health sector and health cluster, and collaborate with the national and international disaster risk management authorities before, during and after the disaster events,” Dr Yunguo said.
“At this meeting, we will also discuss the coordination of foreign medical teams for the timely and effective services for the affected population in emergencies.”
Dr Eric Nilles, who works for emerging disease surveillance and response under WHO Western Pacific Region, said Fiji’s experiences with natural disasters have enabled the country to respond and mitigate impacts in an effective and efficient manner.
“Fiji has had a lot of experience and so we have seen an increased efficiency and responsiveness of the Fijian Government. Fiji is an example for the Pacific in terms of how to respond and manage disasters,” Dr Niles said.