PM Rabuka meets India Minister for Health: Advances discussions for more collaboration in the Health Sector

New Delhi-Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka met with India’s Minister for Health Honourable Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda yesterday (24 August 2025), where he expressed Fiji’s interest for further cooperation in the health sector and beyond.

At the outset, Prime Minister Rabuka expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and acknowledged the enduring relationship between Fiji and India, which dates back to 1879 with the arrival of the first indentured labourers from India.

The Prime Minister was joined by Fiji’s Health Minister Honourable Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, the Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister Dr Lesi Korovavala and Fiji’s High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Mr Jagnnath Sami.

During the meeting, Hon. Rabuka acknowledged India’s continued support to Fiji’s health sector and highlighted some areas of bilateral priority, including the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Hospital and the 100-Bed Super Specialty Cardiology Hospital.

The Prime Minister thanked the Government of India for its commitment to establish a grant-in-aid super specialty hospital in Fiji.

The project will be formalised through an MoU signing during this visit, marking a milestone in Fiji–India health cooperation.

PM Rabuka also welcomed the forthcoming establishment of the Jan Aushadi Kendra centre in Fiji, which will improve access to affordable medicines and set pharmaceutical standards for the Pacific region.

Discussions also focused on other areas for potential collaboration,including digital health services, hospital redevelopment through Public-Private Partnerships, and expanded medical training opportunities for Fijian personnel in India.
In his remarks, Hon. Nadda welcomed the Prime Minister and his delegation to India, adding that India is looking forward to enhancing cooperation with Fiji in the healthcare sector.
He expressed India’s keen interest in deepening partnership with Fiji for the mutual benefit of both nations.