The most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere ravaged Fiji on 20–21 February 2016, leaving 44 dead, nearly 130 injured and 45 hospitalized.

The cyclone had a significant impact on the health system, damaging health facilities, disrupting health care services, resulting in lost medical supplies, and interrupting telecommunications, road and sea transportation, and water and energy supplies. At least 88 of the 214 health facilities throughout Fiji (41%) were damaged, and seven were so severely damaged that services were relocated to temporary locations.

MOHMS ensured medical evacuation for the people who sustained severe injuries, and immediately deployed teams to assess the damage to health facilities, completing a first round of rapid assessments in all affected areas.

In March 2016, MOHMS, supported by WHO and other international partners, started to carry out more in-depth assessments to inform and coordinate repairs. Efforts were focused on restoring all services for patients at damaged health facilities.