Background: Poor diet is a major contributor to the burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases globally and in the Pacific. Preventing non-communicable diseases requires a multi-sectoral response, and the World Health Organisation recommends that countries use evidence-based policies and a whole-of-government approach. Working across government requires the engagement of multiple government Ministries. This study describes and reviews the process of developing a guide to improve engagement of government Ministries in the development of evidence-based food-related policy-making in Fiji.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative case study of the guide development process in 2016. Data collection techniques included documentation of the process and consultation with members of the guide development-working group of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoMHS). The findings were captured in a narrative analysis.
Results: The guide development process comprised a review of the MoHMS’s Policy documentation; mapping different engagement models and techniques from various local and international sources; the convening of a working group which reviewed various drafts of the guide; and submission of the final document to higher authority for endorsement. The document review found that whilst Fiji’s MoHMS policy documentation indicated that consultation and engagement should take place throughout the policy development cycle, this was not formalized. Additionally, current MoHMS documents and in particular its Policy Development Guidelines, do not provide any detail on how to strengthen communication through multi-sectoral consultation and stakeholder engagement. The final product was a 32-page user-friendly document that is now going through a formalization process within the Ministry for endorsement by the Permanent Secretary of the MoHMS.
Conclusion: Clear processes are required to guide the way in which Ministries work together to develop and implement evidence-based policy. Guidelines have been developed specifically for use in Fiji, however their impact is yet to be determined.