A total of 280 medical officers resigned from Fiji’s Ministry of Health between 2022 and 2023, resulting in a shortage of senior specialist doctors. This year alone, 15 doctors have already left their positions.
Dr. Basharat Munshi, outgoing President of the Fiji Medical Association, disclosed these figures at the association’s 63rd annual conference held at the Hilton Resort on Saturday. He expressed concern regarding the seniority of the departing doctors, stating, “We have doctors who have been trained and who are specialists. That calibre of people leaving hurts us.”
Dr. Munshi noted that many of the resigning doctors transitioned to the private sector, highlighting a significant trend of attrition observed in the last two years. He suggested that the Ministry of Health should conduct a survey to better understand the “push” and “pull” factors influencing doctors’ departures.
In response, Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu acknowledged the critical impact of this issue on healthcare delivery, particularly in primary health settings and major hospitals. However, he pointed out that the rate of resignations has decreased 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 emphasized that while enhancing infrastructure is important, human resources are vital for providing quality healthcare, and addressing both the push and pull factors is essential for retention.