The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has dismissed allegations regarding a strike by Radiology and Pharmacy staff at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM). In a recent statement, the Ministry clarified that the hospital is currently facing a shortage of qualified staff in these departments. As a result, operational hours for both the Radiology and Pharmacy Departments have been temporarily adjusted to Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
For emergencies that require radiological investigations outside of these hours, the hospital has arrangements to refer patients to approved private providers as needed. The Ministry is also in discussions about potentially providing services over the weekend and will inform the public once a decision is finalized.
Furthermore, the staff at CWM Hospital has not engaged in any strike action but is following the Ministry of Civil Service’s Circular 14/2024, which regulates overtime work and time-off-in-lieu (TOIL) policies for all civil servants. This Circular affects compensation for overtime with limitations that have contributed to the current staffing shortages.
The Ministry of Health is actively working with the Ministry of Civil Service, which recognizes the public health challenges stemming from the new regulations on overtime management. To address these issues, the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, Parmesh Chand, has expressed a commitment to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health to ensure workforce sustainability and the continued delivery of services to the public.
Acknowledging the dedication of its staff, the Ministry of Health is also mindful of the ongoing staff shortages and their implications for patient care and staff well-being. To combat the long-standing issue of healthcare worker shortages in the country, consultations have begun with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Civil Service and Fiji’s two health training universities, about both short-term and long-term solutions. This health workforce plan is expected to be completed and launched by early 2025.
In summary, the Ministry of Health is taking proactive steps to address staffing limitations while ensuring that essential services remain available to the public. This situation, while challenging, opens up opportunities for meaningful collaboration and innovation in healthcare workforce planning. With ongoing consultations, there is hope for a more sustainable health system in Fiji that better supports both workers and patients alike.
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