FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2017-2021 3.1.6 39 HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES “Access to quality health facilities necessary for good health, and to health care services, including reproductive health care” Fiji has made significant progress in increasing the overall life expectancy of Fijians and improving health outcomes. Maternal- and infant-mortality rates have declined. Primary health care is well established, with major improvements in secondary health care. Substantial investments have been made in construction and upgrading of hospitals, health centres and nursing stations. Medical services have been decentralised to ensure convenience and easy access. More doctors and nurses have been recruited and are well remunerated. The doctor-to-patient ratio is improving, and funding for supply for essential drugs and consumables has been increased. In the next 5 years, more investments will be made to upgrade and expand existing divisional hospitals to provide more beds and better facilities. New sub-divisional hospitals will be constructed and existing ones upgraded. New health centres will be constructed with proper services and equipment. Government will ensure that every health centre is provided with a full-time doctor. In addition a new National Kidney Research and Treatment Centre will be constructed that will act as a national hub for treatment and prevention of kidney disease, and to provide patients the most economical access to treatment of kidney disease. Funding will be channelled towards purchase of more equipment, drugs and consumables. The procurement process and supply-chain management will be streamlined to ensure that adequate supplies of medicines and consumables are available at all times. Education and information will be provided to men and women regarding family planning, and equal-parenting initiatives will be promoted. Hiring of skilled healthcare workers will continue to ensure that the ratio of doctors, nurses and midwives per 1,000 people is increased to internationally accepted levels. To assist those low and middle-income Fijians, the free medicine scheme will continue. Strategies will be pursued to tackle NCDs in the country. Changes in lifestyle, healthy diets and physical activity are crucial for preventive health care and prevention of NCDs. A multi-sectoral approach through better health education, production and adequate supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, and promotional and awareness campaigns will be further enhanced to address this issue. Collaboration and partnership with the private sector, NGOs and development partners will be pursued. Early detection and preventive measures will be strengthened to address communicable diseases like HIV/ AIDS and tuberculosis. Physical and sexual violence against women and children will be addressed as Fiji practitioners will adhere to processes of referral and evidence preservation to support women and increase the rate of perpetrator accountability. Adherence to international standards of tertiary health care will be pursued as a major initiative to ensure that Fijians are provided with advanced tertiary care. Tax incentives to entice private sector investment in this area were introduced in the 2016-2017 National Budget. Government will explore further opportunities for public investment in this area.