MOH reiterates importance of care of infants

Fiji’s Ministry of Heath records one death in five newborn babies.

This was revealed by the ministry’s Non-Communicable Disease national adviser, Dr Isimeli Tukana at opening of the Kids Playhouse in Toorak today.

Dr Tukana said for each death in Fiji, there are four new babies introduced to this world.

He said children need to be taken properly taken care of in the first five years of their life because this is when their brain is developing.
 
“Whatever the child sees and hears in this period is what they perceive as the truth and the absolute truth.

“If the child sees that parents are swearing, smoking and drinking, he/she will think this is normal.”

He said the newly opened playhouse will benefit children in their breathing, eating, drinking, physically and mentally.

Fiji Health Sector Program director Dr Rosa Banuve said the playhouse is a good initiative and will be implemented to other divisions.

By Ropate Valemei