Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has strongly criticized the Government over concerning developments within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, particularly regarding the situation at CWM Hospital. His comments come in light of the medical staff from the Radiology and Pharmaceutical Department expressing serious concerns about the implications of the removal of overtime payments. Chaudhry emphasized the importance of prioritizing lives over financial constraints, addressing Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad directly with the statement, “It’s lives that matter, not money, Biman!”
Chaudhry expressed dismay at Prasad’s response to a warning issued by the Fiji Medical Association (FMA), which highlighted that cutting overtime pay threatens the quality of healthcare delivery at CWM and other facilities. He took particular issue with Prasad’s suggestion that health authorities should “sort it out themselves,” labeling it as an inappropriate response from a minister in such a critical role.
The former Prime Minister pointed out that the directive to replace overtime payments with time off applied to the entire civil service and underscored a broader issue of government funding. Chaudhry indicated that the necessity of this cost-cutting measure reflects financial shortcomings, contrary to Prasad’s assertion that adequate funds were available.
He also referred to Dr. Alipate Vakamocea, President of the FMA, who highlighted that the elimination of overtime pay compromises patient safety and places an excessive burden on the current medical workforce, which is already stretched thin due to a significant shortage of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Chaudhry articulated that the existing healthcare teams, operating under challenging conditions, require proper compensation for their work. Instead of addressing the critical concerns raised by the FMA and collaborating with medical authorities for solutions, Chaudhry contended that the Minister’s dismissive attitude is indicative of a worrisome disregard for the ongoing struggles faced by the healthcare sector.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges within healthcare management and the importance of stakeholder dialogue in addressing systemic issues. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust support for medical professionals to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare to the community.
In summary, this escalating situation not only underscores the need for better funding and policy support for the healthcare system but also reflects a challenge for leadership to engage meaningfully with health professionals to foster a more effective and empathetic healthcare environment. There is hope that through increased advocacy and reform, improvements can still be made for the benefit of both healthcare workers and patients alike.
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