Fiji is facing a significant shortage of hospital beds, with a need for an additional 2,000 to adequately serve its population. This concern was raised by Dr. Basharat Munshi, the outgoing president of the Fiji Medical Association, during the association’s 63rd Annual Conference at the Hilton Resort. He stated that Fiji currently requires 3,000 beds, highlighting a shortfall of 1,500 to 2,000 beds, particularly if one considers the current population levels.
Dr. Munshi emphasized that upgrading facilities to meet standards that provide optimal care would require approximately $4.46 billion to address this deficit.
He also pointed to ongoing challenges at CWM Hospital, particularly with its surgical theater capacity. Dr. Munshi expressed that the hospital is unable to fully utilize its capabilities, limiting the performance of elective surgeries while emergency cases take priority. Although some elective operations have been conducted at Oceania Hospital to help reduce the backlog, this comes with additional costs. Furthermore, issues with equipment, such as the CT scan, require outsourcing, which also strains the budget.
The Minister for Health, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, assured that the CWM Master Plan, recently launched, aims to tackle these pressing issues in the healthcare system.