The Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), is conducting a specialized training program on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data management for health professionals in the Eastern Division. This initiative is part of the Strengthening Health Adaptation Project for Fiji (SHAPE Project), a multi-year program funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Held in Tamavua, the training session includes 37 participants from five medical sub-divisions. Attendees are receiving training on critical skills, including the collection, analysis, and visualization of health data, aimed at enhancing their ability to plan, monitor, and make informed decisions in public health contexts. Topics covered include mapping health facilities, analyzing environmental and epidemiological data, and applying GIS tools such as QGIS. Additionally, participants are learning to use digital tools like KOBO for efficient field data collection, alongside gaining insights into data quality, security, and integration best practices.
This is the fourth and concluding training session of its kind, with a total of 130 health workers, 25% male and 75% female, trained across Fiji in basic GIS and data management. The Ministry aims for these skills to foster a climate-resilient health sector capable of tracking disease trends, identifying vulnerable communities, and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
The program highlights Fiji’s ongoing efforts to reinforce its health infrastructure and digital capabilities. This aligns with similar enhancement initiatives by the Ministry as described in previous discussions, such as expanding network connectivity for remote health facilities and integrating upgraded hardware and software systems. These efforts echo Fiji’s broader strategy towards resilience in the face of climate challenges and improving healthcare delivery through technological integration.
The training is set to conclude on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Overall, this initiative reflects a proactive approach in leveraging modern technology to strengthen health systems, offering a hopeful outlook for the enhancement of public health management in Fiji.