UN praises Fijian Govt’s efforts

THE fact that Fiji and the Pacific has managed to handle the COVID-19 very well has been acknowledged by the United Nations representative to the Pacific.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete in Parliament during its March sitting.

“The Resident Coordinator for the UN, Sanaka Samarasinha, provided an excellent perspective of our efforts a few days ago when he said: Fiji and the Pacific’s handling of COVID-19 is one of the best kept secrets that I know of.”

“It really is an amazing story and in some ways I am not surprised, but I am disappointed that Fiji and the Pacific countries that have managed to contain COVID for so long have not got the credit and the people have not learnt their lessons from these countries, and look at us, we are able to walk around and not wear masks.” Minister Waqainabete said they were happy with “what we have achieved as a nation so far, but we are not resting on our laurels”.

“We remain vigilant and focused and we will not lower our guards soon because the virus is still pandemic, the virus continues to mutate in countries that have never had mutation before, despite vaccination process underway,” he said.

“There is some light at the end of the tunnel but the end of this pandemic for the world is still out of sight. Our experience so far have taught us that when we come together as a nation, we rally together, a whole of society and whole of government approach, and we commit to act together and respond in the same way with the same fervour and commitment, we can overcome this global threat and any other threat that stands in our way.” Minister Waqainabete acknowledged the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet, civil servants and many others in the community who are showing leadership and responsibility.

“I thank all Fijians for your effort in keeping Fiji COVID-19 contained, we cannot drop this ball, we must continue and I ask you to stay with us as we complete this difficult journey.”