A total of 280 medical officers resigned from Fiji’s Ministry of Health over the course of 2022 and 2023, leading to a shortage of senior specialist doctors. This year alone, 15 doctors have already resigned.
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 on Saturday. He expressed concern over the seniority of the departing doctors, noting, “We have doctors who have been trained and who are specialists. That caliber of people leaving hurts us.”
Dr. Munshi pointed out that a significant number of these doctors transitioned to the private sector, indicating a marked increase in resignations during 2022 and 2023. He suggested that the Ministry of Health should conduct a survey to better understand the reasons behind the doctors’ departures, referred to as “push” and “pull” factors.
Minister for Health, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, acknowledged the challenge and its impact on healthcare services in both primary health settings and larger hospitals. He noted, however, 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 said. He emphasized that enhancing infrastructure is key, but ultimately, human resources are vital for delivering quality healthcare, necessitating action on both the push and pull factors.