Fiji, Nov. 2 -- Tuvalu reached a milestone in strengthening public health protection with the Parliament's passage of the Public Health Act 2026, replacing legislation first enacted 100 years ago.

The new law provides an updated framework for preventing, managing and responding to public health risks from the community level through to national emergencies, public health emergencies of international concern, and pandemics.

It also includes flexible and updated approaches to communicable disease management, planning, standard setting, collection and use of health information, and coordinating with partners.

"Tuvalu's health needs have changed significantly over the past century, and our laws must evolve to meet these challenges with the...