Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu recently reported that 80% of the 99 specialist medical positions in Fiji have been successfully filled, leaving a challenging 20% vacancy rate. Notably, the Chief Medical Officer roles exhibit the highest vacancy at 29%. Dr. Lalabalavu attributed part of this issue to a shortage of qualified candidates, which sometimes necessitates re-advertising these specialist roles.
The minister highlighted a remarkable improvement in recruitment over the past five years. For instance, in 2021, only 52% of specialist positions were filled within four months, necessitating the re-advertisement of 48% of these roles. By 2025, the situation has improved to 83% of positions filled within the same timeframe, with re-advertisement rates dropping to 17%. This shift reflects the implementation of more effective recruitment strategies and an increase in available candidates.
Looking ahead, the ministry has secured an $82.4 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which will not only cover salaries for field doctors but also support ongoing recruitment for vacant specialist positions over the next year. Dr. Lalabalavu assured that the ministry is prioritizing succession planning to sustain healthcare services while candidates complete their specialist registrations.
The current distribution of specialists shows a considerable reliance on certain fields: internal medicine has 11 specialists, anesthesiology 9, obstetrics and gynecology 8, and so forth. However, alarming shortages persist in neurosurgery, psychiatry, neurology, and rehabilitation medicine, prompting the ministry to prioritize recruitment in these critical areas.
In response to the situation, Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj labeled the shortage a serious issue affecting Fiji, noting that many patients have resorted to seeking treatment abroad in countries like India and Australia. He inquired whether plans were in place to recruit doctors from China and India through bilateral agreements.
In reply, Dr. Lalabalavu assured that the ministry is actively engaging with development partners who provide visiting medical teams to address these critical needs, especially to help alleviate the backlog of cases requiring specialist care. The minister’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality reflects a proactive approach toward improving Fiji’s medical services for its citizens.
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