Fiji's government is warning about a shortage of caregivers for elderly people throughout the country.
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Welfare Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa said there is an increasing demand for caregivers for the elderly, which the ministry is working to address the issue.
Ms Vuniwaqa said that left unaddressed, the shortage of caregivers could lead to an emergency.
She said the ministry is aiming to encourage and teach members of the community on how to take care of their elderly.
"We've come up with a community caregiving training package - basically surveys in these communities looking at families that have elderly persons that have elderly persons in their homes and may need to look after this elderly person.
"People living in various communities around the country, empower them to be able to look after the elderly in their own homes."
Mereseini Vuniwaqa said senior citizens of Fiji, who are 65 years and over, receive a monthly pension of US$44 from the government.
