Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SUVA575
2007-12-19 17:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

Update: Testing Fiji's National Pandemic Influenza Plan

Tags:  SOCI TBIO CASC KFLU FJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SUVA 000575 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SINGAPORE FOR RMO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI TBIO CASC KFLU FJ
SUBJECT: Update: Testing Fiji's National Pandemic Influenza Plan

REF: Suva 0317

UNCLAS SUVA 000575

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SINGAPORE FOR RMO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI TBIO CASC KFLU FJ
SUBJECT: Update: Testing Fiji's National Pandemic Influenza Plan

REF: Suva 0317


1. (SBU) Summary: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) in
close collaboration with the Fiji National Influenza Taskforce
brought together different sectors to test Fiji's National Influenza
Pandemic Plan on December 4 and 5, 2007. During the tabletop
testing, gaps/issues were identified in the Plan. Lack of leadership
within the government was one of the key concerns highlighted by
SPC. Notably, the Ministry of Agriculture has still not completed
its avian influenza plan. A lack resources remains a major
constraint, limiting both preparedness planning and response
capacity. End Summary.


2. (U) The two-day workshop was held on December 4 and 5, 2007 to
identify gaps in the Fiji National Influenza Pandemic Plan (FiNIP)
and to see how the different sectors could best progress their
plans. The Workshop was organized by SPC in close collaboration with
the Fiji National Influenza Task Force. 72 participants from
different sectors took part in the tabletop test workshop.
Participants included representatives from the media, Fiji
Red-Cross, Fiji Military, Fiji Police, Ministry of Agriculture,
Ministry of Health (included provincial level officers),Ministry of
Education, Fiji School of Medicine and Nursing, Fiji Islands Marine
Safety Administration and Quarantine and Customs officials.
Stakeholders who were invited but did not turn up included the
Ministry of Tourism, the Prime Minister's Office, the National
Disaster Management Office, Banks, the Airline Industry, Airports
Fiji Limited, and the Fiji Electricity Authority.


3. (SBU) During the workshop a number of gaps/issues were
identified. According to Dr. Narendra Singh, the Communicable
Disease and Surveillance Specialist at SPC who coordinated the
event, one of the key issues was the lack of leadership to move the
plan forward. In his view, the main reasons for this leadership
shortfall are a lack of awareness, initiative and understanding of
the potential impacts of a pandemic influenza. The Fiji National
Influenza Pandemic Plan Task Force is currently chaired by the
Ministry of Health. Singh told us that some sectors feel that this
task should be transferred to the National Disaster Management
Office.


4. (SBU) Singh said there is also a need for line ministry officials
to secure political support for the National Plan. In addition, the
relevant ministries did not request the necessary funds in their
2008 budget submissions. As a result, no budget has been allocated
for finalization or implementation of the National Plan for the
coming year. Nevertheless, SPC will work with the line ministries
and the Fiji National Influenza Pandemic Plan Task Force over the
next few months to try to address some of the gaps/issues identified
during the 2-day workshop.


5. (SBU) The Ministry of Agriculture's national plan for avian
influenza remains incomplete. As reported earlier (reftel),the
Ministry of Health has received plans from two large commercial
poultry farms in Fiji. Dr. Robin Achari (Principal Veterinary
Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture's Animal Health and
Production Division),told us that the delay is caused by the need
for the Ministry of Agriculture to revise its plan using the SPC
template, which it did not have until recently. Dr. Achari also said
that lack of human and financial resources have hindered progress at
his ministry. He told us that Agriculture hopes to complete its plan
by March 2008.


6. (SBU) Comment: Actors outside of the health sector remain
relatively unengaged in the planning process, and a lack of
financial and technical resources continues to be a serious
constraint, limiting both planning and national capacity to respond
to any future influenza outbreak. The fact that this
under-resourcing of the National Plan is partly a function of
internal decision-making does not make it any less of a factor in
the country's ability to prepare for or respond to a crisis.

MANN