Overview

Australia remains Fiji's primary partner in the health sector and a key partner in Fiji’s response to COVID-19. Our support to Fiji’s COVID-19 response efforts includes the delivery of over 1 million vaccines and wrap around support; more than 97 tonnes of PPE, medical supplies and equipment; funding to recruit staff to bolster Fiji’s local health workforce; and the deployment of Australian Medical Assistance Teams (AUSMAT) to support Fiji’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak between 21 June and 3 September 2021.

Our support is aligned with the priorities of Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and we work closely with them on all key decisions related to our health sector support.

We also support Fiji's health security through our disaster response programs, partnership with the World Health Organisation, Pacific Regional Health Program, antimicrobial research and support for COVID-19 vaccine access.

Related initiatives

• Australia's support to Fiji's health sector
• Preparedness and Response Fund
• Australian support for COVID-19 Vaccine Access
• Supporting programs

Australia's support to Fiji's health sector

Up to $37.5 million, 2017-2024

Australia's health program is strongly aligned with Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services Strategic Plan. The strategic focus areas are intended to enhance curative and preventive health services in partnership with the Ministry of Health through quality investments. The program works at three levels of the health system: national systems, health providers, and communities.

Pacific Regional—Healthy communities can provide more information on DFAT's Pacific Regional health programs.

Related documents

Preparedness and Response Fund

Up to $3.5 million, 2017-2022

Australia invests in resilience building, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Fiji across all programs. The Fiji Program Support Facility administers a Preparedness and Response Fund (PRF) to manage disaster response and preparedness activities, supporting Fiji government and civil society organisations.

Australian support for COVID-19 Vaccine Access

The Australian Government is committed to supporting access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, as part of a shared recovery for our region from the pandemic. This will also contribute to Australia's own health security and economic recovery.

Through the regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI), the Australian Government is providing a range of support including supplying safe and effective vaccine doses and delivering technical support to Fiji. Australia is assisting with the assessment of vaccine safety, efficacy, and quality by national regulatory authorities, informed by WHO advice.

Australia is providing $16.8 million to Fiji over the period 2020 to 2023 through VAHSI. Our assistance supported Fiji to prepare for its national COVID-19 vaccine campaign and assisted with the procurement and delivery of vaccine doses.

Supporting programs

As well as our Fiji-specific programs, Australia supports health security priorities through the following regional, global and international initiatives, all of which operate in Fiji.

• The Australian Red Cross Partnership and Australia Humanitarian Partnership (AHP)
• Support for World Health Organisation Western Pacific Regional Office
• The Australian NGO Cooperation Program
• ACIAR health systems strengthening antimicrobial research