650 Fijians to receive free artificial limbs

Around 650 Fijians will receive free, custom-made artificial limbs through India’s Jaipur Foot initiative later this year.

The Jaipur Foot team will hold camps in Suva, Nadi and Labasa in October and November, offering support to amputees across Fiji.

The initiative came up during a bilateral meeting in Palau between Fiji’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita.

The ministers also discussed India’s support for a 100-bed Super Specialty Cardiology Hospital in Fiji. Ditoka said the tender process was nearing completion and groundbreaking was expected early next year. Fiji wants the hospital to deliver long-term benefits through skills transfer, knowledge sharing and training for local health professionals.

The two countries also discussed cooperation on the Indian Pharmacopoeia to strengthen the quality, safety and regulation of medicines in Fiji.