79 Caregivers Graduate from Academy

Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar officiated at the Prestige Caregivers Academy (PCA) graduation on Friday.

While addressing the 79 graduates, she highlighted that according to the Fiji Census in 2017, Fijians aged 60 plus comprise 10.6 per cent of the total population (93,745 Older Fijians), while people living with disability made up 12.8 per cent of the total population (113,595 Fijians).

Ms Akbar said there was a need for various forms of caregiving to this segment of the Fijian population, including home-based care.

She acknowledged PCA for providing ordinary Fijians an avenue to learn and understand the basics on caregiving.

“I believe that it is important to work in collaboration with all partners,” Ms Akbar said.

“So, we can holistically and contextually address the real needs of our people that are aging and living with disabilities and need special care or need some help in their day-to-day living.”

Ms Akbar remarked that PCA has added value to these collaborative efforts through its training programmes.

She was also proud to see graduates coming out of the institution, ready to render their service to fellow

Fijians following the insightful two weeks programme.

“Knowledge is powerful and this training has provided you with the opportunity to learn the basics of caregiving,” she said.

“It is a tool that will assist you in pioneering home-based care in homes and communities.”

Graduate

Emotional Lavenia Maramanikaicelia got emotional as she shared her journey in discovering the course.

The 22-year-old said this was the first ever certificate she attained.

“This certificate recognition is really significant to me, after high school I did some side jobs to sustain me,” Ms Maramanikaicelia said.

“My parents are farmers back in the village, while I’m here in Suva, I’ve never done anything and got certified, this will clearly help me.”

Her main ambition now is to invest what she has learned and implement it in the aged care homes, and eventually secure employment overseas.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Couple Viren Nasidu and Rita Prasad during the Prestige Caregivers Academy (PCA) graduation in Suva on November 18, 2022.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Prestige Caregivers Academy graduates with Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar on November 18, 2022.

Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar.