MSP is going back to School !

MSP and the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts have joined hands to raise awareness on Child Rights and Reproductive Health Rights, information and services.

On 19th October, Medical Services Pacific signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Education Heritage an Arts (MoEHA) to provide support for their Child Protection Officers, Counsellors and Teachers working in schools to raise awareness on human rights, child rights, gender equality and reproductive health rights and improve access to services for young girls. Specifically, MSP will be working closely with the MoEHA to develop informational materials and to support the distribution of the Girl Empowered informational package.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIRL EMPOWERED is a youth friendly educational resource which will be of great interest not only to girls and young women across Fiji, but also to educators, reproductive rights advocates and all others working with young people throughout Fiji. The Girl Empowered toolkit is specifically for high school students and above.

Access to sexual and reproductive health information is crucial if young people are to make informed decisions about their health and sexual relationships. However,  all reports from Fiji and the wider Pacific Island region, including the most call for action issued earlier this month by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community , suggest that there is not nearly enough information provided to girls and women about their sexual health.

Copies of GIRL EMPOWERED will be available to interested government agencies, schools, youth and student groups by contacting the MSP office. The new MOU with MoEHA will enable MSP to distribute and share this booklet with schools across Fiji.

 

 

MSP to launch Club 26 in November!

Club 26 – Will provide a safe space for youth, where they can gather, relax and obtain Information, Health and Social services and other support from the youth friendly staff.

MSP is establishing a dedicated youth friendly clinic and social services program to improve services for youth.  Club 26 is so named as it is for youth who are between the ages of 16 and 26 years in the Suva and Central Division. Club 26 will provide a safe space for youth, where they can meet with youth friendly counsellors, medical staff and legal advisers and other leaders to discuss a range of issues.

Across the Pacific, youth face reproductive health, mental health and other challenges with few Youth Friendly health and social service providers.  MSP projects are designed to support youth and by ensuring access to free sexual reproductive health and social services. MSP health projects specifically address risks to which young people in the Pacific are most vulnerable:

1. Teenage pregnancy
2. Unmet need for contraception
3. STI, HIV/AIDS and RTIs
4. Sexual violence and exploitation
5. Mental Health Support

The Club 26 project is a great opportunity for young people to meet together in a safe social setting with access to information, counsellors and medical staff who can provide a range of advice and guidance on drug risks, smoking, sexual and general health issues. There will also be activities such as arts, music, computing and games.  Club 26 was designed with input from youth and the program will be led by a youth committee.

MSP – Providing Youth Friendly Health and Social Services, building youth capacity to cope with today’s challenges and promoting human rights to end VAWG. Focussing on youth is of critical importance for the development of Fiji. It is also important for increasing equality and changing attitudes and behaviours around gender violence and ending Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG).

PHOENIX CANDLES – A GIFT THAT GIVES BACK TO WOMEN & CHILDREN

 The Phoenix Survivors Group has been busy making candles for Diwali, and the 16 Days of Activism Campaign (International Women’s Day & candles and cupcakes) and Christmas. Contact info@msp.org.fj to place orders.

Suicide Prevention – Who to call – When to call

What is your understanding of suicide?

Not very many people want to talk about the tragedy of suicide—especially when it involves young people. Taking one’s own life is generally considered taboo. The reasons people choose suicide are highly debated and often misunderstood. Unfortunately, its has become too common among the younger generation in Fiji. Suicide is now so common in Fiji, that it has jumped up to the third leading cause of death among youth (under 16) and those aged between 17 and 25 years.

This data alone should be enough to influence anyone and everyone to become more involved in their teenagers lives and to educate themselves about depression and teenage issues including suicide. We should all do our best to be able to recognize sadness, depression, illness, abuse or stress in youth or children who are close to us. However, sometimes, we cannot see the 

symptoms of depression so easily. That is why, it’s important to talk and listen to your children, friends and loved ones. If you see sadness, neglect, mental illness or any form of abuse, then share your concerns with specialists. Call the free helpline #1325 which is set up for children, youth and those who need information or support.

Child Helpline Fiji – Free call 1325 in Fiji

Child Helpline Fiji is a new nation-wide telephone help and support service for children and youth this is to give a voice to all those children and young people who are in need of advice, support, care and protection. It is staffed by qualified experienced counsellors and it is confidential.

Depression is one of the main conditions that may lead to an attempted suicide. If your teen is experiencing sadness, unusual mood swings, signs of depression, abuse or stress (even stress from school), concerns over an unplanned teenage pregnancy or other matters, please ask them to call 1325.

Youth, when you call, you will be speaking with one of our special adult counsellors who are great at listening and hearing what is going on with you. And they are good at helping everyone to solve all kinds of problems, small as well as large ones.

Be mindful of your loved ones and if you suspect a teen shows symptoms of stress or depression, try to connect with them and help them to open up to you about it, Or just let them know that there is someone who is always willing to listen to their concerns and that’s a friendly counselor on the Child Helpline Toll free call 1325. All conversations are confidential.

Be alert and listen to youth if they are struggling with something. Offer support and let them speak. Or call the Child Help Line for free counselling on 1325 for information, advice or support.

Never be afraid to ask the question,  ARE YOU OK?

Ask the question – Are you feeling sad, stressed or suicidal? And LISTEN to the child.  If a child or youth is feeling sad and suicidal, do ask them to promise to wait and ask them to call the child helpline on 1325 (its a free call). Let them know you care about them and would miss them and be ready to provide access to a phone so the child or youth can call the child helpline 1325. Or to take them immediately to seek counselling support.

There are high rates of child and youth sexual abuse in Fiji currently, the Government noted that there were 685 cases of child sexual abuse in 2014. Everyone has a role to play to assist children at risk.

Always be attentive and observe those who you think are suffering, or victims of neglect (hunger too), abuse (verbal or physical), violence, stress, addiction or suffering.  Look out and monitor their behavior (e.g. any unusual silences or withdrawal from activities) and consider changes in their activities. Look out for increased drug and alcohol use!  If concerned, ensure they have access to a phone and ask them to call 1325

Youth also suffer from stress and sadness, just like adults but often can’t see the options. However, you can save a life – by advising of the child helpline number 1325. Particularly if you think they or their friends might be at risk of contemplating suicide – share the number and give them access to a phone (its a toll free #). Though you may feel strange about “interfering in others lives,” it’s vital that you be there for youths to ensure that they get the help they need.

Finally, do hide dangerous drugs and poisons and keep weapons locked away. Monitor their appropriate and intended use and destroy unused medications.

Opening Hours:

The Child Helpline (CHL) is Government service for the youth of Fiji and 13 25 (toll free). The Child Helpline is currently open between 6 am and 6 pm 7 days per week (going to 24 hour service shortly). The MSP after hours call number for counselling support is 9910894.

Clink on this link and like us on Facebook and to get regular updates  : Child Helpline Fiji 

For general information and non urgent assistance, you can Skype: childhelpline fiji   or Email  help@msp.org.fj

You are never alone when you are near a phone,  there is always HELP and the Child Helpline counsellors on 1325 can assist you!

Listening to the Kids – the Children’s Helpline and World Day Against Child Labour

Friday 12^th June is the World Day Against Child Labour, which seeks to bring awareness and action to eliminate child labour around the world. In its most extreme forms, child labour involves children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses or left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities often at a very early age. However not all work done by children can be classified as child labour. Children’s or adolescents’ participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling is generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and can provide them with skills and experience useful for the future.

Labour that jeopardises the physical, mental or moral well-being of a child, either because of its nature or because of the conditions in which it is carried out, is known as “hazardous work” and must be eliminated.

When to call Child Helpline (Free Call) 1325

If you see or hear about any child being forced to work under the age of 15 you can call the Child Helpline Fiji. The Child Helpline is a new telephone counselling service that’s for kids or for anyone who is concerned about a child. Child Helpline Fiji is about helping children solve their problems. Kids can now call this toll free number to report if they are forced to do any form of hazardous work.

Please call Child Helpline if you are or if you know a child working in a job that:

• is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful;
• interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school;
• obliging them to leave school prematurely; or
• requires them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work

 How can Child Helpline assist?

You can call by mobile or landline from anywhere in Fiji for free on 1325 anytime between 6 am and 6 pm every day. One of our counsellors will answer and give you their name; they are here to listen to you and they speak all of Fiji’s national languages. Our counsellors are here to help if you want to talk about something that is worrying you, they are great at helping kids solve all kinds of problems.  Children and young people, or people concerned about children, living anywhere in Fiji can call the Child Helpline.

Remember: you’re not alone if you’re near a phone! If you need to talk you can call us at 1325.

MSP Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

International Day of Rural Women

On 15 October Medical Services Pacific (MSP), with the contribution of many generous women, provided free bras to rural women in Lawai Village and to female market vendors at Sigatoka Town in celebration of the International Day of Rural Women.

The kind donation of eleven boxes of undergarments was given by Fijian expats Dr Temalesi McCaig and Nurse Coordinator Vunirewa Uuilakeba. This was a gift in recognition of the lack of access many rural women face in regards to apparel shopping and finding affordable, comfortable bras.

“We are deeply grateful for this generous donation by Dr Tema and Mr Vunirewa, who collected the bras in New Zealand, and for the support and assistance with freight donation from Rotary Auckland, Ms Pauline Watson, Ms Tina Gunn and the Uplift Project, and the wonderful team at Air New Zealand. Together with the MSP outreach team, we have been able to support rural women on the International Day of Rural Women.”

The bra giveaways provided MSP an important opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of regular health checks to prevent breast and cervical cancer.

“Early detection is extremely important and provides an opportunity for effective treatment of cervical cancer.  The free bra giveaways were an added bonus to support women and girls who attended a cancer screening or a health check this month,” said MSP’s Executive Director Jennifer Poole.

 

International Day of the Girl Child

International Day of the Girl Child

In recognition of the deep need to promote girls’ rights, highlight gender inequalities and address discrimination and abuse suffered by girls around the globe, the United Nations has created an international day of recognition for the girl child.

In celebration of this day, on 11 October MSP reached out to more than 30 children at St Christopher’s Orphanage in Nakasi. We provided free counselling sessions and our Legal Aid Officer was at hand to attend to the children and to answer any questions they may have. We would like to thank the St Christopher’s for hosting us and giving us the chance to reach out to these young children.

Corporate Outreach to MindPearl 

On the 22^nd of October, MSP was chosen to do a medical outreach for breast and cervical cancer awareness at MindPearl. Around 70 staff members were seen in total, with more than half of these accessing cervical cancer screening services.

In recognition of the importance of our work, and in thanks for the provision of our remarkable services, MindPearl announced MSP as the charitable organisation to be the recipient of funds raised from the company’s pink ribbon sales throughout October.

We are grateful for this kind gesture that MindPearl has showed towards us in helping us pursue our wonderful services to the communities and to our corporate partners, and we are looking forward to working with them in the future. We are always looking forward to working in partnership with corporate “businesses” who are committed to gender equality and promoting healthy living.

 

A month of partnerships

Health Fair Happenings

Health Fairs are a fantastic way to allow a community to understand their health status, to inspire and encourage them to live a more healthy life, and to provide early detection of problems before they result in medical emergencies. A Health Fair provides access to a range of health and social services, including clinical services and referrals, and helps people to understand the available services. Health fairs encourage people interact informally with health care professionals and ask questions. They aim to help people to modify their behavior for healthy living and to reduce Non-Communicable Diseases through prevention and early detection.
Last Saturday, the MSP team delivered our final Health Fair under our ‘Healthy Choices Program’, funded by the Australian Government through their Direct Aid Program, to the community at Tamavua-i-wai Settlement in Suva.
In partnership with several hard-working organisations such as the Ministry of Health, FNU College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji Police Force and Rotaract Club of Suva, the Health Fair provided a wide range of services that included doctor consultations, counselling, legal advice, TB and NCD screening, Pap smears, and family planning and reproductive health information and awareness.
Around 50 kids were delighted to have their faces painted by Rotaract volunteers, an experience topped off by a visit from Colgate’s much-loved Dr Rabbit and his Community Educator who taught the kids all about good oral hygiene. A huge thanks also to the Rotary Club of Suva East for their donation towards the event.
The day was a huge success, with more than 200 community members accessing services and information on the day.

The Tamavua-i-wai Health Fair in numbers:

152 registered clients received healthcare services:

• 107 medical consultations
• 60 dental examinations were performed, including 40 immediate extractions. All had oral healthcare advice
• 16 clients accessed legal advice
• 9 clients access counselling services
• 12 women access Pap smear services
• 90 community members accessed the information booth to receive information on family planning, reproductive health care and ending violence against women and girls
• 70 community members were screened for TB

…and 50 (non-registered) children were reached with education and awareness around oral health care and diet, good touch / bad touch training, and awareness around substance abuse and protection.

Partnering up

Formal partnerships with key stakeholders are an important strategy to providing effective health services to those in rural areas. MSP has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Ministry of Health since our inception, and in June this year we were honoured to re-sign our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with them for another term.

Also in June, MSP signed a new MOU with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women, and Poverty Alleviation (MSWWPA). This MOU enables MSP to provide healthcare services at MSWWPA Women’s Resource Centres around Fiji. It will also allow MSP to work closely with the Department of Social Welfare.

Our little team is growing!

We have had a few changes in staffing which has added new skills and additional capacity to the team. In a wonderful opportunity for our long-time Program Manager, Ms Ashna Shaleen received a scholarship earlier this year to complete her Master degree in Australia.
Before leaving, Ashna undertook a handover with the incoming Program Manager, Ms Nileshni Devi. Nileshni previously worked for SPC and Marie Stopes International in Fiji. Nileshni is currently completing a Master of Public Health.
MSP has also hired a new senior counsellor who is working full time under the newly funded Phoenix program. Ms Peci Baladrokadroka is a highly regarded counsellor and social worker who is well respected in the NGO and government sector. She formally coordinated the social workers association with the MSWWPA and has extensive experience working with children at risk. And finally, the newest member to our team is Ms Luci Tabaiwalu undertaking the role of Legal Aid Officer, specialising in child, gender, and basic human rights.
We also farewelled our latest medical intern, Zaireen Najib. Zaireen volunteered with the team for four weeks, helping out in the clinic and on outreach visits. A huge vinaka vakalevu for all your help!

New funding acquired

MSP received funded from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for our new Phoenix Program, which provides support services for survivors of sexual assault and their families.
The Phoenix Program also has a component for livelihoods support and promotion – the candle making program. Candles will be sold by survivors to support the group and the program, aiming for sustainable social service provision. Standby for locations where you can purchase Survivor Candles and contribute to the welfare of those in need.