Fiji’s Ministry of Health has successfully concluded a three-day transformation summit, focused on developing a strategic plan for 2026-2031. This summit involved more than 200 stakeholders, including educational institutions, NGOs, donor partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, as well as representatives from governments of countries such as India and China.
Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services, emphasized that the strategic plan aims to bridge persistent gaps identified over the last 16 years, particularly in workforce management and budget utilization, despite increased funding. The Ministry aims to navigate budget constraints skillfully while fostering ownership of the implementation process across various levels of the organization.
The finalized plan is set to be submitted for Cabinet approval, a critical step towards its official adoption. Dr. Lalabalavu highlighted that workforce challenges pose significant hurdles, as workforce attrition both locally and abroad restricts program execution. Factors such as inadequate housing and unreliable utilities are recognized as major retention challenges, while attractive pay and conditions in other countries exacerbate the issue. The plan includes measures to improve work environment conditions to address these challenges and improve staff retention.
To support the Ministry’s initiatives, NGOs and development partners will help address certain gaps. There is also an emphasis on enhancing communication regarding the strategic plan, ensuring that health centers and nursing stations are informed, thus countering previous evaluations that indicated low awareness of the plan outside the top leadership.
A robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system will be established to track the progress and impact of the strategic plan. Tailored communication strategies aimed at different stakeholders will ensure a cohesive understanding of the goals, ultimately aligning staff with the strategic direction for more coordinated action.
In addition to the strategic plan, the Ministry has introduced a Priority Improvement Plan (PIP) aimed at upgrading hospital infrastructure, ensuring that facilities remain operational while a long-term master plan is developed. The PIP, with support from the Australian High Commission, prioritizes urgent improvements at CWM and St. Giles hospitals, focusing on vital areas such as roofing, water supply, sanitation, and fire safety enhancements.
Dr. Lalabalavu noted that the improvements are designed to sustain existing standards of care while the long-term master plan is being put into place. Initial infrastructure works have already begun to prevent service disruptions, and the comprehensive design of the master plan was crafted with broad stakeholder engagement, ensuring resilience to political changes and future government transitions.
Dr. Lalabalavu expressed hope that the inclusive nature of the strategic plan will encourage continuity, stating that any future leaders should recognize the collective vision and input that shaped the plan. Ongoing funding from ADB and DFAT is anticipated to support the continued development of health services, framing hospital modernization as a vital, multi-year investment critical to enhancing the quality of healthcare in Fiji.
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