Opposition Member of Parliament, Penioni Ravunawa, has called for increased scrutiny of the public-private partnership funding the $90 million for Ba and Lautoka hospitals.
Addressing the 2024-2025 National Budget, Ravunawa expressed concerns regarding the involvement of private entities such as Aspen Medical in managing public health resources, particularly around equity in access and affordability of care.
“While the government’s budget for the health sector in Fiji for the next financial year presents some promising elements, as a representative of the opposition, I cannot overlook the glaring deficiencies and inconsistencies,” he stated.
Ravunawa acknowledged the positive feedback and advanced healthcare services enjoyed by residents of Lautoka and Ba. However, he emphasized that incomplete paperwork in these business dealings must be addressed.
He stressed the responsibility of the coalition government to ensure transparency and accountability to taxpayers and the public.
The Opposition MP also urged the government to extend the free healthcare scheme under the General and Dental Practitioner initiative to the Northern, Eastern, and Western parts of Fiji. He praised the program for alleviating pressure on the public health system, reducing wait times, and improving the quality of medical and dental services.