Recently there is an outbreak of measles in Fiji but so far there have not been any human fatalities. The US has extended its helping hands in an effort to assist the Ministry of Health. The American Embassy has donated $US120, 000 ($F215, 439) worth of measles vaccines. The World Health Organization’s representative in the South Pacific, Doctor Chen Ken said that there were 70 confirmed cases of measles in Fiji.
The vaccine was provided by the Center for Disease Control from America to help in curbing the outbreak of measles in Fiji. He also said that teams would go door-to-door to carry out immunisation of children from six weeks to six months old. The American Ambassador Larry Dinger said child health and welfare was top priority and the vaccines would ensure they were maintained. A temporary clinic was set up at Epworth Arcade, Suva to immunize children.Director Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Timaima Tuiketei said that in addition to the generous donation by the American Embassy, the Ministry of Health had $220,000 worth of measles vaccine. She said the measles campaign also received $116,000 from the United Nations Children's Fund through AUSAID. They plan to allocate the money for other expenses which would be incurred during the measles campaign.
