Dr Waqainabete Labelled the Coolest Health Minister

Commentators from around the Western Pacific Region have labeled Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete as the coolest Minister for Health.

This was after he led participants of the 71st World Health Organisation Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific into a mobility break with the famous Bula Maleya tunes during the meeting last week.

The two-minute video that trended on social media showed Dr Waqainabete showcasing some dance styles that meeting participants engaged in via Zoom from around the world.

Fiji was also the vice-chair of the meeting.

Dr Waqainabete shared the story behind why they had chosen the song ‘Bula Maleya’ to feature during the world health leader’s mobility break during the meeting.

“As part of every WHO meeting, we normally have what we call a mobility break, so we have everyone stand up and we have music playing and someone leading with a mobility dance break,” Dr Waqainabete said.

“Even though I was just told on the week of the meeting itself, I felt that it was my duty to do it even if I was a bit embarrassed,” he said. “The song Bula Maleya was played because it’s a song that’s always been used in the tourism industry and also by people going overseas. “I was also thinking of our tourism sector, the struggles that they are facing and how we are working together to ensure that we have local tourists able to make use of local resorts and also when borders open.”

He said he did not expect the video to trend on social media.

“We were in the room myself, Dr James Fong and Dr Jemesa Tudravu, but they were hiding themselves when I led the mobility break.

“I’m glad that everyone enjoyed it as it also coincided with us celebrating Fiji Day.”

He said it was important for Fijians to remember that they needed to be active no matter where they were and what they did.