A total of 280 medical officers resigned from Fiji’s Ministry of Health during 2022 and 2023, contributing to a shortage of senior specialist doctors. This year alone, 15 doctors have already left their positions.
Dr. Basharat Munshi, the outgoing President of the Fiji Medical Association, shared these statistics during the association’s 63rd annual conference at the Hilton Resort on Saturday. He expressed concern about the seniority of the doctors who are resigning, emphasizing that the loss of trained specialists is particularly detrimental.
Dr. Munshi noted that a significant number of these resignations involved doctors transitioning to the private sector, indicating a broader trend of attrition both domestically and internationally. He suggested that the Ministry of Health should conduct a survey to identify the “push” and “pull” factors influencing doctors’ departures.
Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu acknowledged the impact of this trend on healthcare delivery in primary health settings and major hospitals, although he pointed out that the rate of resignations has decreased this year. He highlighted that competing with the pull factors driving doctors away is challenging, underlining the importance of improving working conditions, remuneration, and addressing healthcare professionals’ concerns. Dr. Lalabalavu stressed that enhancing infrastructure alone is insufficient; a focus on human resources is vital for delivering quality healthcare.