UniFiji Offers New Programme in Public Health
The University of Fiji is now offering a unique programme in the Pacific named the Bachelor of Public Health and Primary Health Care.
The programme is a one of a kind in the Pacific as it combines the two major areas of wellness – public health and primary health – that is tailor made for the health needs of the region while encompassing global health.
The programme is reasonable in price and is open for students with a pass in Year 13 with two science subjects and a pass in English. Mature students with at least one year working experience in the field of medicine or health and also those with a GPA of 2.5 in Foundation studies can also apply.
The course introduces the student to the concept of wellness, pre-empting diseases outbreaks, mitigation of diseases and disaster management preparedness. This opens the door for innovative research, process and interventions to counter problems or health crises in the Pacific.
It incorporates public health concepts with primary health care and looks at a “Hospital as an Ivory Temple of Disease” as documented in Parks Textbook of Community Medicine, which prioritises wellness rather than treating diseases.
It probes into early intervention to counter Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Crisis in the Pacific Neglected Tropical Diseases, Emerging and Re – emerging Infectious Diseases and Disaster Preparedness.
Speaking about the programme, senior lecturer in Public Health, Sameula Korovo, said the general health and wellness of people throughout the world was deteriorating as a result of sky rocketing incidences of non-communicable diseases.
“Building Hospitals will not offer wellness and good health but through the core components of public health in terms of prevention,
promotion, provision and protection of health at the primary level,” Mr Korovo said.
Dr Sakiusa, a lecturer in public health commented that “The solution to good health is embedded in strategically directed Public Health.”
Students are urged to take advantage of this initiative and register for the courses. Registrations are on-going at the Suva and Saweni campuses. Potential students also have an added advantage to visit our roadshow teams throughout the Western Division from Rakiraki to Sigatoka on January 12 and 13, as well as January 19 and 20, 2018. At the roadshows students will be offered course consultations, academic counselling, on the spot offer letters and registration.