18 October 2013 - In line with the Philippine Embassy’s continuing efforts to promote closer ties with Pacific Island countries, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez, accompanied by Consul Arlene Gonzales-Macaisa and Honorary Consul in Fiji Dr. Virgilio de Asa, called on Dr. Neil Sharma, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Fiji on October 09 in Suva, Fiji.

Minister Sharma welcomed Ambassador Benavidez and noted that Filipino doctors who work and live in Fiji blend in well in the fabric of Fijian society and they contribute to the well-being of the Fijian people.  He mentioned that Fiji would like to encourage more Filipino doctors to come and work in Fiji. Ambassador Benavidez stated that the Philippines attaches great importance to people-to-people ties with Fiji and that the presence of a growing number of Filipinos engaged in various professions, particularly doctors, in Fiji strengthen the people based relationship between the Philippines and Fiji and deepen goodwill and understanding between the Filipinos and Fijians.

Pioneering Filipino doctors opened the doors for Filipinos to come to work in Fiji in the early 1970s.  Since then, waves and batches of Filipino doctors have been recruited by the Fiji government. Today, there are about 152 registered families in Fiji. Currently, there are about 25 Filipino doctors in the private sector doing general practice and about six doctors teaching at the private University of Fiji Umanand Prasad Medical School in Lautoka. At least another 13 doctors are still working in the Fiji Government occupying various positions.

Ambassador Benavidez thanked Minister Sharma for a fruitful meeting, and informed him that she looks forward to further future exchanges with Fiji and closer cooperation especially in the health sector between the Philippines and Fiji. END