Over the past two decades, Fiji has been subject to the impact of 23 cyclones, resulting in significant infrastructural and agricultural damages where 61 recorded fatalities were recorded, where the Health & Medical Services Ministry has been at the forefront of it all.

Health & Medical Services Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Jemesa Tudravu had echoed these sentiments on Friday during the handing over of Emergency Medical Teams equipment from World Health Organisation.

Whilst receiving the equipment from World Health Organisation’s Officer-in-Charge in the Pacific Nuha Mahmoud, Dr Tudravu said the impact of these cyclones resulted in the establishment of our in-house EMT – Fiji Emergency Medical Assistance Team in 2019 and this was made possible through technical and financial support from World Health Organisation and guided by NZMAT and AUSMAT.

Dr Tudravu added that FEMAT has spearheaded local and regional disaster response efforts, providing support during seven cyclones, two occurrences of leptospirosis and typhoid outbreaks, two surgical outreach programs and the coordination of three universal health coverage initiatives.

In 2021, FEMAT supported the establishment of a 28-bed tented field hospital in Lautoka, along with the conversion of the Vodafone Arena indoor sporting facility to cater to COVID-19-positive cases.

Dr Tudravu thanked WHO for equipping FEMAT with the necessary kits and equipment.