James Fong Explained
James Fong is a Fijian obstetrician-gynaecologist who serves as the Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS).[1]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fong led the COVID-19 Incidental Management Team (IMT) and is well known for giving COVID-19 updates in daily press briefings.[2]
Career and education
After completing his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Master of Medicine in the Fiji National University, he became an Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist for thirty years. He later headed the Obstetrics and Gynacelogy Unit of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.[3] [4] [5]
In February 2020, Fong was appointed to lead the COVID-19 Incidental Management Team (IMT) that dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji which provided advice and recommendation to the Cabinet of Fiji.[3] [6]
In June 2020, he was appointed as the Acting Permanent Secretary[3] till October 2020 in which his position as Permanent Secretary became official.[1]
Personal life
Fong hails from the village of Nabubu in Macuata with maternal links to Dogotuki in Vanua Levu. He attended Xavier College in Ba for his secondary level education and he is married to Monica Fong who is a Health System Coordinator for the World Health Organisation. They have one son.[1]
Notes and References
- Web site: Rabonu. Inoke. 10 Things You Might Not Know About The PS For Health And Medical Services- Dr James Fong. April 29, 2021. live. 2 May 2021. Fiji Sun. en-US. May 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502100230/https://fijisun.com.fj/2021/04/29/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-ps-for-health-and-medical-services-dr-james-fong/.
- Web site: Hassan. Riaz. May 2, 2021. PS Health – Press Statement 02-05-2021. live. 2 May 2021. Ministry of Health and Medical Services. en-US. May 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502095816/http://www.health.gov.fj/ps-health-press-statement-02-05-2021/.
- Web site: Fijian Government. Congratulations to Dr James Fong on his appointment as the new acting Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, effective.... June 16, 2020. live. 2 May 2021. Facebook. en. May 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502100128/https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3347866168579628&id=207532522613024.
- Web site: Fiji Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (FOGS). 2021-05-02. Figo. en. May 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502200301/https://www.figo.org/fiji-obstetrics-and-gynaecology-society-fogs. live.
- Web site: James FONG HOD/Consultant Bachelor of Medicine, Postgraduate diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Masters of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology Fiji. live. 2 May 2021. ResearchGate. May 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502100128/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James-Fong-3/amp.
- News: February 21, 2020. Pacific steps up preparedness against COVID-19. live. 2 May 2021. Suva, Fiji. World Health Organization. en. March 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308211732/https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/how-we-work/pacific-support/news/detail/21-02-2020-pacific-steps-up-preparedness-against-covid-19.
