The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has launched its National Health Strategic Plan 2026–2031, outlining a new direction for Fiji’s healthcare system with a stronger emphasis on prevention, accountability and service delivery.

The strategy was officially unveiled at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva and is designed to address growing health challenges, including non-communicable diseases, climate-related impacts and communicable disease threats.

The five-year plan is centred on three key priorities: strengthening public health and primary healthcare services, improving clinical and hospital care, and enhancing governance across the health sector.

A key feature of the strategy is its focus on performance and accountability, supported by a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning framework that will track progress in real time and guide evidence-based decision-making.

The Ministry said the plan is fully backed by funding through the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) programme, which is supported by the World Bank and development partners.

The programme will help expand primary healthcare services, strengthen hospital diagnostic capabilities and improve digital health systems across the country.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu said the Ministry’s focus is now firmly on delivering results.

He said the Ministry, together with frontline healthcare workers and development partners, including the Australia Fiji Health Programme, is working towards building a resilient and people-centred healthcare system for all Fijians.