A NATIONAL Federation Party candidate wants to lift the living standards of ordinary Fijians by promoting healthy lifestyle and wellness if he wins a seat in parliament.
Dr Bijend Prasad Ram said this would be done through inclusiveness and open education, including on healthy aging with him being the brain behind charity trust he founded, the ACATA Fiji — an action group for children and the aged.
He has been a doctor for about 36 years and a specialist in Community Medicine and Public Health, having served in the civil service for 21 years holding various positions and working in the remotest of places.
He is also the initiator and founding member of the Fiji Kidney Foundation, with the list of his qualifications and achievements being quite lengthy.
He was awarded the 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal for service to Fiji in 1995.
Dr Ram contested the 1999 and 2001 general election for the NFP but unfortunately lost in both and he reminisced when the country went on tangential path to coups and setbacks.
However, this time he is optimistic of winning, saying “the winds of change are blowing around and the health of our nation must change for the better”.
“If I win, then I will pursue policy changes on health, education, ecological and environmental conservation and sustenance programs,” he said.
“I will work in the best interest of the populace and their basic rights through just and a honest governance structure.”
Dr Ram said he would pursue the empowerment of Fijians for self-determination, participation for their individual and community livelihood and security in food, housing, gainful employment and health.
He said support was good and these last few weeks in the countdown to September 17 would be tough with the final round of campaigning across the country.
Avinesh Gopal
The Fiji Times
Monday, August 11, 2014