KOICA-funded upgrades strengthen health facility in Verata, Fiji

The Verata Nursing Station has officially reopened following major renovations and the installation of solar power. With strengthened climate-resilience, it offers more reliability as a health facility for the community.

The upgrades were completed under the Strengthening Health Adaptation Project: Responding to Climate Change in Fiji (SHAPE Project) a multi-year initiative funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

“WHO, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Ministry are working together to help ensure the Fiji health system is strong enough to keep people safe and healthy, even when the weather and climate are changing. It means our facilities and health workers are better able to handle problems caused by threats like stronger storms, hotter days, floods, or diseases that come with climate change,” remarked Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of Pacific Technical Support and WHO Representative to the South Pacific.

“As a developing nation, we are committed to working with our partners to enhance our health facilities. Here in the Pacific, we genuinely understand the value of collaboration and the benefits it brings to our communities,” shared Hon. Ratu Dr Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, Minister for Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS). 

“At KOICA, we believe that the heart of development lies in people. By working together with government, development partners, and local communities, we can build stronger, safer, and more resilient health services for the people of Fiji,” stated Ms Hankyulsam Cho, Fiji Country Director, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Donor investments result in real impacts

In addition to upgrading health facility infrastructure and energy supply, the SHAPE Project is also strengthening other pillars of a climate-resilient health system, including workforce capacity, disease surveillance, laboratory services, and community adaptationⁱ.

Fiji, like many Pacific island nations, faces growing health challenges from climate change. Stronger cyclones, rising temperatures, and flooding can damage health facilities, disrupt essential services, and put health workers and patients at risk.

Investing in a climate-resilient health system in Fiji keeps people safe and healthy, even when the weather and climate are changing. It means the health facilities and health workers are more equipped to handle problems caused by threats like stronger storms, hotter days, floods, or diseases that come with climate change.

Ultimately, climate-resilient health systems save lives, lower costs, and create a foundation for healthier, safer, and more sustainable futures.

The SHAPE Project is strengthening Fiji’s climate resilient health system in several ways:

• The Verata Nursing Station is 1 of 5 facilities in Fiji strengthened through the SHAPE Project. Renovations improve a health facility’s ability to withstand extreme weather, reduce the risk of power outages, and protect vital medical equipment.
• In total, 18 health care facilities across Fiji have had solar power installed by the project. Solarization also reduces the facility’s environmental footprint and supports continuous service delivery.
• More than 600 health workers across Fiji have been trained on managing health risks linked to climate change, ensuring communities are better protected from climate-sensitive diseases and emergencies.
• Around 193 community members in four communities in Fiji’s four health divisions, were provided training to ensure communities understand and can adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• Investments in Fiji’s water and food testing capacity through training, procuring additional lab equipment, and renovating the Fiji Centre for Disease Control (CDC) lab mean outbreaks of climate sensitive diseases like typhoid, diarrheal illnesses and leptospirosis can be detected earlier, allowing faster responses and fewer people getting sick.
• 93 Fiji MHMS staff have been trained in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Fiji National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS) has been digitized to ensure faster, evidence-based decisions, leading to stronger disease surveillance, more targeted disease outbreak response, and improved health outcomes for communities.
• 97% of Fiji’s health facilities have completed a Climate Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA), which provides the necessary information for the MHMS to prioritize communities and facilities at greater risk of climate change impacts.
• The renewed Fiji Health Adaptation Plan launched at COP29 in November 2024 ensures health and other sectors are even better prepared for climate change impacts on health.

The reopening of the Verata Nursing Station, alongside these investments, shows how the SHAPE Project is delivering real, lasting impacts. Together, these efforts safeguard health today while preparing Fiji for a safer, more resilient future

More on the topic

To learn more about climate resilient health systems visit the WHO webpage.

WHO collaborates with governments and partners to:

• prepare for and reduce the health impacts of climate change through building capacity
• conducting vulnerability and adaptation assessments (V&As)
• supporting the development and implementation of strategies like Health-National Adaptation Plans (H-NAPs)
• strengthening climate resilience and promoting low-carbon health systems.

Read the feature stories on KOICA SHAPE community engagement activities in Lomawai Village and Laucala Village.

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i Adaptation is action to help people adjust to the current and future effects of climate change.

Note to editors

Fiji MHMS

More information about the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

WHO

Working with 194 Member States across 6 regions, WHO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for public health. The WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji provides tailored technical support to 21 Pacific island countries and areas (PICs).