Thursday, 2 April 2026, 6:23 pm
Press Release: Joint Media Statement
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, in
partnership with UNICEF and with the generous support from
the Government of Japan, has launched Fiji’s first digital
immunization record system to track children’s
vaccinations nationwide.
The new digital system will
ensure that every child in Fiji has a secure vaccination
record that can be accessed from any immunization site
across the country.
“This launch is more than a
digital upgrade. It is a firm commitment to protecting the
health of children through a stronger and more reliable
immunization system – no matter where they are born or
where they receive care,” said the Assistant
Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon. Penioni
Ravunawa. “On behalf of the Government of Fiji, I
sincerely thank the Government and people of Japan, UNICEF,
and our dedicated healthcare workers for making this
milestone possible.”
For many years, Fiji’s
immunization programme relied on paper-based records, which
were often lost or resulted in duplicated information,
especially when families moved between clinics or islands.
The manual system also placed a heavy reporting burden on
healthcare workers and made it difficult to quickly identify
and follow up with children who had missed scheduled
vaccinations.
The new digital system, that will be
implemented across 220 immunization sites and supported by
training for approximately 500 healthcare workers, will
address these challenges. It is designed to function even in
areas with limited internet connectivity, ensuring that
children in rural and maritime communities are not
missed.
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“Digital systems only matter when they work
where it matters most – on the ground. Today, that value has
been clearly demonstrated,” said First Secretary
of the Embassy of Japan, Kengo HOSHINA. “This
project is a practical expression of the Lomavata–Kizuna
Partnership, delivering real benefits to communities through
trust and side-by-side cooperation.”
With reliable,
up-to-date data, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services
can quickly identify gaps in immunization coverage, plan
targeted outreach, and respond more effectively to disease
outbreaks. The system also strengthens Fiji’s resilience
to climate-related emergencies by ensuring continuity of
care even when paper records are lost or
damaged.
“No family should ever worry that their
child will miss out on life-saving vaccines because of lost
paperwork or distance from a clinic,” said UNICEF
Pacific’s Deputy Representative, Roshni Basu.
“With this new digital system, Fiji is breaking down
barriers and ensuring that every child, no matter where they
live, can grow up healthy and protected.”
By
replacing paperbased records with a secure nationwide
digital system, Fiji is building a more resilient and
efficient healthcare system. This shift will ensure children
receive timely vaccines and give healthcare workers more
time to focus on care, not paperwork.
About the
Embassy of Japan in Fiji:
The Embassy of Japan in Fiji
serves as the official diplomatic mission representing the
Government of Japan to the Republic of Fiji. It is dedicated
to strengthening bilateral relations through economic
cooperation, cultural exchange, and providing essential
consular services to Japanese and local citizens. Follow EoJ
HP on Facebook.
About
UNICEF:
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest
places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every
child, everywhere, to build a better world for
everyone.
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