A significant shortage of senior specialist doctors has emerged in Fiji’s Ministry of Health, following the resignation of 280 medical officers over the course of 2022 and 2023. Currently, 15 doctors have left their positions this year alone.
Dr. Basharat Munshi, the outgoing President of the Fiji Medical Association, disclosed these statistics during the association’s 63rd annual conference at the Hilton Resort. He expressed concern over the seniority of the departing doctors, stating, “We have doctors who have been trained, and who are specialists. That caliber of people leaving hurts us.”
Dr. Munshi pointed out that many of the resigning doctors are transitioning to the private sector, with a notable increase in resignations observed in the last two years. He emphasized the need for the Ministry of Health to conduct a survey to pinpoint the “push” and “pull” factors contributing to this trend.
In response, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, Fiji’s Minister for Health, acknowledged the challenges posed by the decline in medical personnel, which he noted is adversely affecting healthcare delivery in both primary health settings and major hospitals. Nevertheless, he mentioned that the rate of resignations has diminished this year.
“The pull factors, we can’t compete with. It’s about improving working conditions, remuneration, and over time, listening to their concerns and addressing them,” Dr. Lalabalavu stated. He underscored that even with improved infrastructure, human resources remain essential for delivering quality healthcare, highlighting the need to address both push and pull factors effectively.