The chief executive officer of Health Care Fiji (HCF) Limited, Gavin Whiteside, has defended the allocation of $10 million in monthly taxpayer funding, clarifying that the money is not being used for profit by shareholders. Instead, it is essential for maintaining hospital services in Lautoka and Ba, including covering staff salaries, medications, utilities, and the overall operating costs of the hospitals.
Whiteside emphasized the importance of this funding in ensuring that essential services remain operational. He highlighted that the funds are critical for staff salaries, insurance for clinicians, and the necessary operational support for effective healthcare delivery.
Finance Minister Biman Prasad has expressed his skepticism toward the public-private partnership established under the previous government, indicating his ongoing concerns regarding the Aspen-HCF arrangement. He noted the need for a thorough review of the current agreement to better assess the healthcare demands and services that need to be provided across Fiji’s healthcare system.
As part of the public-private partnership, HCF is partially owned by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), holding an 80% stake, while Aspen Medical holds the remaining 20%. Whiteside reiterated the commitment to utilizing this partnership to develop a sustainable healthcare model that could improve medical facilities across the country.
Previous articles have reported on the mixed feedback regarding the healthcare services provided by Aspen Medical. While advancements in healthcare quality—such as upgraded facilities and improved patient care—are acknowledged, concerns have been raised about the conditions in certain hospital areas and the governance of the partnership.
Moving forward, strengthened efforts toward collaboration between the government, Aspen Medical, and healthcare workers are vital for fostering transparency, accountability, and ultimately enhancing healthcare delivery in Fiji. The proactive reassessment of the partnership illustrates a hopeful outlook for future improvements and reflects a commitment to better health outcomes for the community.
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