The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reintroduced two senior leadership posts — deputy secretaries for public health and for hospital services — in a move the minister says is aimed at tightening oversight and improving service delivery across Fiji’s health divisions. Minister for Health Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu announced the change in Parliament, saying the roles have historically been central to coordinating and supervising hospitals and public health operations nationwide.
“Strengthening these roles will improve accountability, coordination and program implementation across the health system,” Ratu Atonio told MPs, underlining the ministry’s view that clearer senior leadership is needed to align activities across divisional hospitals and public health units. He also stressed the need for transparency in the use of public funds, saying the ministry is committed to ensuring health resources are “utilised efficiently, transparently and in ways that deliver value for money and tangible improvements in services for our people.”
The minister framed the reintroduction as part of a broader push to build a resilient health system anchored by a “capable, motivated, compassionate and supported workforce.” Ratu Atonio outlined workforce-focused priorities, saying the ministry will address persistent human resources challenges through improved planning, enhanced training, better retention strategies and more efficient deployment of staff across the health network.
Ratu Atonio pointed to leadership and coordination as essential complements to those workforce measures. “The ministry recognises that strengthening workforce leadership and coordination is essential to improving service delivery,” he said, indicating the deputy secretary posts will play a central role in harmonising clinical programs, workforce development and operational management.
The announcement did not include a timeline for appointments or detail the specific responsibilities and reporting lines for the reinstated deputy secretary roles. Ministry officials have previously noted that more senior-level coordination is needed to streamline program rollouts and respond to service pressures in both urban and rural facilities, but the minister’s statement is the first formal confirmation that the posts will be restored.
Health-sector stakeholders are likely to watch for further details on how the ministry will resource the positions and integrate them into existing structures, particularly as Fiji continues to contend with recruitment and retention pressures in remote and outer-island posts. By signalling an emphasis on leadership, accountability and workforce support, the ministry is positioning the change as a structural step toward improved implementation of health programs and better use of limited public resources.
Ratu Atonio reiterated the ministry’s commitment to continuing work on these priorities, saying efforts to strengthen planning, training and deployment will proceed alongside the reintroduction of the deputy secretary roles. Further announcements on appointments, mandates and operational changes are expected as the ministry moves to operationalise the new leadership positions.
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