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Fiji

Health media update on post flood measures

OVERVIEW

The Ministry of Health has teams deployed and working around to the clock to monitor health issues related to post-flood environments.

  • The Ministry of Health currently has a Health DISMAC team in the West and the National Health DISMAC team at its headquarters providing direct update to the NDMO.

  • There are no confirmed cases of flood-related communicable diseases such as typhoid, dengue fever, leptospirosis, and diarrhoea.

  • Water and electricity is fully restored in all health facilities in the Western Division

  • We have adequate emergency drugs in all health facilities in the Western Division.

  • All samples of suspected communicable disease cases are currently undergoing tests to be verified by the labs before confirmation.

  • The Fiji Health Sector Support Program has funded diesel for backup generators to prepare for power outages.

Health Ministry’s Emergency Plan

  • The Ministry of Health has its own prepared emergency plan.

  • All hospitals have their own prepared evacuation plans.

  • All Divisional Hospitals had emergency training last year on the deployment of field hospitals.

  • All Divisional and sub-divisional hospitals have the capacity to deploy field hospitals.

Environmental Interventions

  • Ministry health inspectors are conducting disinfection activities in all evacuation centers in Rakiraki.

  • Food surveillance conducted in Ba

  • Disinfections of 3 villages in Tavua

  • Disinfections activities conducted in all evacuation centers in Lautoka. Surveillance conducted in Supermarkets in Lautoka.

  • Anti-dengue spraying started in Nadi today.

  • Disinfection activities conducted in all evacuation centers in Sigatoka.

  • Disinfection activities, anti dengue spraying and surveillance will continue over the next two weeks for full coverage of flood-affected areas.

  • 10,000 water purification tablets has been distributed to the Western Health Office. This is to ensure there is safe drinking water for people and is a preventative measure against any outbreak of diarrhoea.

  • The Ministry has distributed chemicals and machines for parifocal spraying in the all flood-affected areas.

  • All sub divisions have started their cleanup campaign led by health inspectors.

The Ministry of Health together with the Fiji Military Force will be undertaking a joint operation on cleanup campaign, parifocal spraying and surveillance in all flood-affected areas.

Clinical Interventions

  • All health facilities in the Western division has an adequate supply of consumables and drugs.

  • All Sub Divisional Hospitals and Lautoka Hospital are working on 24-hour shifts to provide timely intervention to affected areas.

  • The Health National DISMAC team liaises directly with heath facilities in the Western Division through the telephone every 3 hours to see that services are running smoothly. Disruptions of services will be relayed to NDMO for timely intervention to rectify the problem.

Precautionary Measures on Communicable Diseases (Activities & Education)

  • Destroy all mosquito-breeding places to prevent outbreak of dengue fever.

  • Destroy rodent (rats, mice, mongoose) breeding places to prevent possible outbreak of Leptospirosis.

  • Boiling of all drinking water to prevent water borne diseases such as diarrhoea and typhoid.

  • Wear protective gears such as closed shoes, gloves and raincoats while working with animals or working in flooded and muddy areas. This is to prevent potential outbreak of Leptospirosis.

  • Parents and guardians to ensure that children stay indoors and not to play in flooded areas, swim in flooded rivers or creeks and playing in muddy areas.

  • Washing of hands with soap and flowing water after visiting the toilet and before preparing or having meals is of utmost importance.

If people happen to develop symptoms of influenza like illnesses, they have to seek medical attention immediately.