A United Nations expert is calling on the Fiji government to address violence, discrimination and inequality that he says threaten the realisation of people's right to health in the country.
Dainius Puras is the UN's Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
Mr Puras has just completed an eight-day visit to Fiji where he assessed rights to physical and mental health in the Pacific nation.
He said more attention should be paid to violence against women and children, including implementing existing laws.
"This is really important and they should not undermine or forget this because there should be adequate balance to address violence and discrimination. It can be not only about resources but also attitudes."
Dainius Puras is the UN's Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Photo: UN/OHCHR
Mr Puras said also said climate change negatively affected determinants of health such as clean air, safe sufficient water and food source.
And Fiji was particularly vulnerable to those adverse health impacts of climate change because of its small geographical size and exposure to extreme climate events.
"...it also has direct impacts on human health including injury, disease, and death from extreme heat and cold, cyclones, floods and droughts," he said.
"Indirect impacts include increases in vector-borne, waterborne, cardiovascular, respiratory and renal diseases and psycho-social impacts from the increase in the range and number of disease spreading vectors, compromised food and water sources, livelihood looses and population displacement."
Mr Puras urged the government to continue to invest in its healthcare system.
He said Fiji had good opportunities and strong political will to realise the right to health, but in order to achieve this, the government had to critically analyse and recognise the current gaps.
"It is important to continue investing in a sustainable healthcare system with a focus on primary care," Mr Puras said.
"It is equally essential to seriously address the major determinants of health such as violence, discrimination and inequalities."
Mr Puras said psychosocial interventions for children and adults with mental health conditions should be available at the community level.
He said all healthcare workers should be empowered to be involved in the provision of mental health support and care, "in the same way as they manage physical health conditions".
"Community-based rehabilitation services should be developed to support people with psychosocial, intellectual and cognitive disabilities in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," he said.
The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2020.
