Malnutrition continues to pose a significant challenge in Fiji, driven primarily by high food costs and limited access to nutritious options. UNICEF’s Pacific Nutrition Manager, Penjani Kamudoni, highlights that many families struggle to afford healthy meals, often resorting to feeding their children whatever food is readily available. In this context, income levels and food pricing greatly influence dietary choices, overshadowing personal preferences.
Kamudoni emphasizes the importance of government intervention, noting existing social protection programs aimed at supporting rural pregnant mothers. She advocates for these programs to be expanded and strengthened, as they provide much-needed financial assistance for acquiring healthier food options during pregnancy and after childbirth.
The issue is compounded by the pervasive marketing of inexpensive, processed foods that are high in salt and sugar, according to Kamudoni, who also calls for stricter regulations concerning food labeling to guide consumer choices.
Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna responded to the concerns, explaining that rising vegetable prices result from off-season shortages, heightened demand, and increased production costs. He stated, “Vegetable prices are very much dependent on demand and supply. When demand is high and supply is low, prices will increase, and that cost is passed on to consumers.”
UNICEF advocates for the continuation of government support for pregnant mothers in rural areas, asserting that such assistance should extend through the early years of a child’s life, up to age two, in order to combat malnutrition effectively.
In light of these challenges, there is a growing recognition among officials and organizations like UNICEF that targeted social protections and thoughtful policy changes can help improve nutritional outcomes for families in Fiji. There is hope that with continued focus and action, the tide of malnutrition can be turned for the better.