The Health Ministry is seeking increased budget and donor support to strengthen its fight against the growing HIV crisis.

To encourage healthy eating habits, the Tutu Rural Training Centre has introduced an initiative that transforms breadfruit from an underutilised traditional crop into an appealing meal option.

The Health Ministry is pushing for greater authority to enforce public health laws in villages, arguing that current legislation prevents officials from addressing health and sanitation concerns despite receiving regular complaints from communities.

The Ministry of Commerce and Development in partnership with Standards Australia has started works to advance Fiji’s trade infrastructure and national development goals.

Men’s mental health must be nurtured from childhood, according to Empower Pacific clinical supervisor Ana Radrekusa.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says greater awareness, early diagnosis and stronger community support are needed for people living with lupus in Fiji, particularly women who are disproportionately affected by the disease.

Outsourcing elective surgeries to private facilities has helped reduce the backlog at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital during ongoing renovations.

Tobacco-related diseases are killing about 1,200 people in Fiji every year, with health officials warning the habit is also pushing more young people towards harder drug use.

Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says four of the eight operating theatres at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva are currently operational.

The Health Ministry is urging Fijians to avoid non-essential travel to several Central African countries following the recent Ebola outbreak in the region.

Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa says climate resilience is essential to maintaining treatment continuity, laboratory services, medicine supply chains, and emergency outreach programmes.

Fiji is strengthening its national health response with the Cabinet approving an additional $8.53 million investment to secure essential medicines and diagnostic supplies, as the country continues to face rising health challenges, including an escalating HIV outbreak.