Member Institution Spotlight: Fiji National University
College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences
School of Public Health & Primary Health Care
Author: Ms Makereta Leweniqila, FNU Bachelor of Public Health Student and CAPHIA Intern 2024
The School of Public Health & Primary Health Care is under the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences of Fiji National University. It is situated along Princes Road in Tamavua, and it offers 5 major disciplines of Public Health which includes Health Promotion, Health Service Management, Environmental Health, Nutrition & dietetics and Public Health. Epidemiology is offered as service courses to these programmes. The programmes are offered at the certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate levels. The school also offers master’s programmes in Public Health, Health Services Management, Applied Epidemiology, Non-Communicable Diseases and Sexual reproductive health.
All bachelor’s degree programmes in the school take three years to complete. This institution offers theoretical learning in both traditional and mixed modes of delivery supplemented by laboratory practicals (for Environmental and Dietetics Students). Practical learning is also emphasized where students apply the skills they learn in lecture rooms onto the field. Practical activities are conducted from the first year of studies till the final year. These include site visits to settings such as villages, communities, schools, churches, workplaces, health facilities, project sites etc. where students have the opportunity to relate theoretical knowledge to real-life situations through experiential learning. To implement these practical learning and teaching activities, as explained by Public Health Lecturer Ms. Latileta Odrovakavula, requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including community leaders and government and non-government organizations. The school is a small, tight- knit community which was regarded by Ms. Latileta as one of the school’s strengths. The small population of the school allows students camaraderie. This fosters valuable student connections that will benefit them professionally. Ms Latileta further elaborated that small class sizes allowed for a conducive learning environment which enables one-on-one consultations and cultivates a strong rapport between students and faculty. The faculty is comprised of experienced medical and health professionals who are at the forefront of public health education & research.
The school continues to train public health and other allied health professionals that may assume a variety of roles required by the Ministry of Health and Medical Service, other Government Ministries, Local Town Councils, International Organizations and Non–Governmental Organizations for the improvement of the health of populations in the Pacific.