Our Roles

EHOs are central to Fiji’s WASH efforts, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas:

• Water Safety Monitoring: EHOs regularly test and monitor water quality, especially in rural communities where 80% of water sources are untreated (e.g., rivers, springs, boreholes). They help prevent waterborne diseases like typhoid, giardiasis, and diarrhoea.
• Sanitation Oversight: They assess sanitation infrastructure and promote safe waste disposal practices. In rural areas, 62% of households still rely on unimproved sanitation, increasing the risk of diseases like shigellosis and typhoid.
• Health Promotion: EHOs conduct community education on hygiene practices, including handwashing and safe food handling.

EHOs stationed at ports of entry (e.g., Nadi Airport, Suva Port) are responsible for:

• International Health Quarantine: Enforcing health regulations under the Quarantine Act to prevent the importation of communicable diseases.
• Inspection of Vessels and Cargo: Ensuring compliance with sanitary standards and monitoring for vectors or contaminated goods.
• Traveler Health Surveillance: Screening passengers for symptoms of infectious diseases and coordinating with health authorities for follow-up.

Vector-borne diseases are a major public health concern in Fiji, and EHOs are at the frontline of surveillance and control:

• Monitoring and Mapping: EHOs track the geographical distribution of diseases like dengue, leptospirosis, and typhoid, which have seen annual outbreaks in recent years.
• Vector Control Programs: They implement larval source reduction, fogging, and community awareness campaigns to control mosquito populations.
• Research and Adaptation: EHOs are involved in identifying new vector species and understanding changes in vector behavior due to climate change.

Climate change is increasingly impacting health outcomes in Fiji, and EHOs are key actors in adaptation and resilience-building:

• Climate-Sensitive Disease Surveillance: Monitoring emerging diseases linked to changing climate conditions, such as malaria and heat-related illnesses.
• Infrastructure Resilience: EHOs contribute to the Fiji Health Adaptation Plan (FHAP) 2024–2030, which includes upgrading 20 vulnerable health facilities with flood-resistant infrastructure and improved water systems.
• Community Engagement: They work with local communities to raise awareness and promote adaptive behaviours, such as relocating from flood-prone areas and preparing for extreme weather events.

EHOs are deeply involved in the surveillance, prevention, and response to infectious diseases:

• Outbreak Investigation: They lead field investigations during outbreaks, collect samples, and coordinate with laboratories and epidemiologists.
• Health Education: EHOs educate communities on disease transmission and prevention, especially during outbreaks.
• Policy and Enforcement: They enforce public health laws and contribute to the development of guidelines for disease control, including food safety and waste management.

EHOs Play a critical role in development control, ensuring that urban and rural development aligns with public health standards, environmental sustainability, and legal frameworks. Their responsibilities span national, municipal, and community levels, and are guided by legislation such as the Public Health Act, Town Planning Act, and National Building Code.

In Fiji, EHOs play a pivotal role in program and project management, particularly in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public health initiatives. Their responsibilities span across national, divisional, and municipal levels, and are essential for achieving health and development goals.

Cross-Cutting Roles

• Legislative Enforcement: EHOs enforce environmental health laws and regulations under the Public Health Act and other legislations under their purview.
• Intersectoral Collaboration: They work with government ministries (e.g., Environment, Agriculture, Education, Local Government), NGOs, and international partners like WHO and KOICA.
• Capacity Building: EHOs undergo continuous professional development and contribute to training manuals and best practice guidelines.

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) play a central role in food safety, ensuring that food consumed by the public is safe, hygienic, and compliant with national and international standards. Their responsibilities are guided by the Food Safety Act 2003 and the Food Safety Regulations 2009, which align with the Codex Alimentarius international food standards. An expanded overview of their roles in food safety:

EHOs are authorized officers under the Food Safety Act and are responsible for:

• Inspecting food establishments (restaurants, markets, processing plants) to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
• Licensing food premises and recommending suspension or closure of non-compliant businesses.
• Conducting audits and risk-based inspections, including microbiological risk assessments (MRA) in high-risk sectors like fish processing and street food.
• Monitoring food labeling and packaging to prevent misleading claims and ensure proper nutrient disclosures.

In addition, EHOs contribute to:

• Training food handlers and business operators on hygiene practices and food safety laws.
• Developing SOPs, guidelines, and training materials for food safety enforcement.
• Community education on safe food preparation, storage, and consumption.

Moreover, EHOs work with

• Municipal councils, WHO, USP, and other stakeholders to implement food safety programs.
• Suva City Council’s “Food Safe City” initiative, which uses WHO’s Urban Health Capacities Assessment to improve street food regulation and hygiene

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in Fiji play a crucial role in enforcing tobacco control regulations under the Tobacco Control Act 2010 and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2012. Appointed by the Minister of Health, these officers are authorized to monitor and enforce compliance in various jurisdictions, including municipalities and rural health offices. Their responsibilities include inspecting premises for illegal tobacco sales, ensuring proper licensing, and preventing sales to minors. EHOs collaborate closely with the Fiji Police Force and other agencies to conduct joint enforcement operations, often resulting in fines, imprisonment, and issuance of infringement notices for violations such as selling cigarettes in small quantities or without a license.
In addition to enforcement, EHOs contribute to public health education and advocacy, raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure. Their work supports Fiji’s commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aiming to reduce tobacco-related harm and promote healthier communities.

Through coordinated efforts across sectors, EHOs help uphold national tobacco control policies and protect vulnerable populations, especially children and youth, from the harmful effects of tobacco

Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in Fiji play a vital role in waste management and pollution control, working under the various districts in Fiji. Their responsibilities include enforcing environmental legislation such as the Public Health Act Cap 111, Litter Act and related regulations. EHOs conduct site inspections, monitor compliance with health and environmental standards across solid, liquid, hazardous, and chemical waste streams.
They also investigate pollution complaints, support remediation projects, and contribute to the development and review of waste management policies including special waste generated from medical facilities. EHOs are actively involved in public education and awareness campaigns, promoting responsible waste disposal, recycling, and pollution prevention. They collaborate with municipal councils, government agencies, and community groups to build capacity and ensure effective implementation of environmental programs.

In urban areas like Suva, EHOs help manage municipal waste services, including household, green, bulky, and commercial waste. They also oversee operations at key facilities such as the Naboro Landfill and contribute to rehabilitation efforts at sites like the Lami Dump. Through these efforts, EHOs help safeguard public health, protect ecosystems, and support Fiji’s sustainable development goals.