Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says Fiji remains on track to welcome back tourists in less than one week.
Speaking on Radio Fiji One’s – Nai Lalakai programnme, Bainimarama says it’s pleasing to note that 90 percent of Fijians are fully vaccinated.
He said Fiji is one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world and this is good news for our tourism sector.
“Upon our arrival, we were greeted with the good news that at least 90 percent of Fijians are fully vaccinated. This is an achievement for Fiji. Fiji is one of a few countries that have a high vaccination percentage. I can easily notice the excitement of the faces of many Fijians in Nadi upon our arrival.”
PM Bainimarama said that with the successful vaccination campaign, there are estimates that Fiji can expect growth of tourism earnings by 2.2 percent next year and 5.4 percent in 2023.
“Fiji must expect at least 40, 000 tourists over the next two months. We did not leave any stones unturned, as the government re-strategised its approach to ensure we return to normalcy. This despite having various challenges the government has to deal with.”
Bainimarama has also thanked the Fijian delegation for their efforts at COP26 and for contributions towards various key outcomes.
Meanwhile, nurses in Fiji have been working tirelessly since our first COVID-19 case was detected, exposing them to serious risks.
This mission has taken them away from their families for months on end.
This was highlighted Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s while delivering his congratulatory remarks at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress.
According to the Prime Minister, nurses today have to do more than ever before.
“Even trekking along mountains and traveling across ocean and rivers targeting the hard-to-reach population. They and other colleagues on the frontline have been our national heroes. This is not new for us in Fiji. Because we depend on nurses to deliver a great deal of medical care.”
This year’s congress strongly emphasised the need for nurses and health care workers to be included in the formulation of climate change policies.
Fiji Nursing Association President, Dr Alisi Vudiniabola, said nurses witness the impact of climate change at the ground level.
“With the ICN’s focus on the effects of climate change on health, the ICN is calling on all government to include nurses in all their planning, in their development of policies that will population mitigate the effects of climate change on their health.”
Dr Vudiniabola said it’s uplifting to hear the encouraging messages from the Prime Minister.
This year’s Congress is historic for Fiji, following the appointment of Dr Vudiniabola as the first regional woman to represent East Asia and the Pacific at the International Council of Nurses.
SOURCE: FBC NEWS/PACNEWS
