Fiji Medical Insurance

Located in the South Pacific is the country of Fiji, formally known as the Republic of The Fiji Islands. Fiji is made up of 330 islands, which cover an 18,274 km² area of land. But only about 90 of the islands are inhabited, of these Viti Levu (Big Fiji), and Vanua Levu (Big Land) are the two largest, with the majority of the population living on Viti Levu. By July 2010 Fiji’s population had reached around 876,000 people. The official languages of Fiji are Bau Fijian, Fiji Hindi and English. Fiji is a beautiful tropical Island paradise offering clear blue waters and cozy white sandy beaches. Fiji’s tourist industry has been in business for decades, averaging more than 400,000 visitors a year. In 2009 Epeli Nailatikau was sworn in as President of Fiji in 2009 after the military leadership put in place after the 2006 coup was ruled unlawfully appointed by the high court. Even with the political shift, Fiji’s international tourism trade was still able to thrive.

The primary health care system is provided through the Fiji Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health models its system on the World Health Organization’s three tiered system of primary care, which aims to provide divisional, sub divisional, and area based health care facilities. The goal of the Ministry of Health is to improve every citizen’s health; it services every citizen’s medical needs, for which the funding mainly comes from general taxes. The structure of the Fijian health system is divided between 3 divisions, namely, the Central/Eastern, Western and Northern divisions. As of December 2009 there were a total of 231 health facilities operating in these divisions of Fiji, with each sector containing one main divisional hospital. The medical care facilities spread throughout these divisions are comprised of 17 sub-divisional hospitals, 2 specialized hospitals, 78 health care centers and 103 nursing stations. There is only one private hospital that is located in the Western division, within the nation’s capital of Suva on the island of Viti Levu. Healthcare in Fiji is provided mainly through public facilities, while the few private facilities that do exist mostly cater to foreign nationals. The Ministry of Health has been able to greatly develop the healthcare system in comparison to other island nations in the South Pacific, although there are still some issues that stop the entire population from receiving adequate health care. Close to 80% of the Fijian population has access to medical care facilities, but only about 40% of these people are receiving quality care and services; this is partly due to the lack of resources, medical staff shortages, and poor government organization of spending.

Though there are medical facilities spread throughout Fiji, there are only 6 hospitals that can provide more than basic medical needs. Hospitals have been described as being adequate for routine medical treatment, but are limited in the range and availability of said treatment. Fiji, being made up of islands, makes transport to medical facilities with adequate levels of care difficult, especially for islands farther away from Fiji’s capital island, Viti Levu. For expatriates or visitors using medical facilities in Fiji, doctors will often expect an immediate cash payment for health services that are provided. If hurt or injured in any way in remote island areas an international medical insurance policy will help you evacuate the area to the nearest centre of medical excellence, which may require evacuation to another country. Fiji medical facilities are inadequate to meet the needs of patients with acute illness and long-term medical issues. Complicated medical procedures cannot be completed within Fiji and usually require medical evacuation. Fiji does have a private hospital, Suva Private Hospital, which provides better care, facilities and up to date equipment, but many of the local Fijian population cannot afford the expensive costs that accompany using private hospitals. For expatiates living in or tourists visiting Fiji it is highly recommended to obtain an international health insurance plan to help cover such charges.

While Fiji offers some of the most beautiful tropical islands in the southern Pacific there are a couple of diseases that expatriates should be careful of as well. HIV/ AIDS is found within Fiji but its presence within the country is relatively low, with only 0.1% of the populace infected, or around 800 people. Fiji is free from malaria but dengue fever is still present and transmitted by mosquitoes. Expatriates and visitors should take precautions to protect themselves from these insects. If a person is travelling to Fiji from a country where yellow fever is present, the Fijian government requires that person to present proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Earthquakes and storms are the two main natural disasters people within Fiji need to worry about. All the Fijian islands are within an earthquake zone and it is an area of high seismic activity, though the probability of a major earthquake is rather low. The main concern is that earthquakes in the ocean near Fiji can trigger Tsunamis. Expatriates should familiarize themselves with standard procedures in Fiji when tsunami alerts are triggered, whether in a hotel and at home. Fiji is hit by cyclones yearly, from November to April. Warnings systems are in place throughout the inhabited islands but are not always adequate, so visitors and expatriates should keep track of weather systems when in Fiji. Flash floods are not uncommon within Fiji and can cause road blockages and landslides. Flash floods happen during periods of heavy rain fall, which can happen in Fiji year round.

Expat Medical Insurance is an international medical insurance brokerage, and can offer a number of international medical and travel insurance policies, with optional benefit packages including dental, maternity, inpatient, outpatient, specialist consultations and many more. If you would like to find more information about travelling to Fiji, or to receive a free International Health Insurance Quote, feel free to contact one of our dedicated advisers today.