The healthcare system in Fiji is reportedly deteriorating despite a larger budget allocation, as articulated by Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar during a parliamentary discussion on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ past performance reports. Kumar highlighted various issues plaguing the health sector, from staffing shortages to the misallocation of funds, and criticized the government’s prioritization of healthcare.
Kumar revealed that newly graduated nurses are facing employment delays of up to six months, while current staff are overburdened with work. She pointed to a significant shortage of midwives, indicating there are only 200 available for 300,000 childbearing women, which is alarming. With many midwives leaving the country and only a handful of new midwives being trained and not obligated to stay, Kumar expressed that this poor planning significantly impacts women’s health.
Moreover, Kumar noted the underutilization of the current budget. A considerable amount of the allocated funds for staff quarters and hospital upgrades remains unspent, raising concerns about the government’s claims of prioritizing healthcare. Kumar particularly emphasized the need for better management of the mental health sector, stating that budget cuts for facilities like St Giles Psychiatric Hospital come at a time of increasing mental health issues in the community.
In response to these concerns, Minister for Finance Biman Prasad defended the government, suggesting that the opposition should take responsibility for past mistakes when they were in power. He acknowledged the underutilization of some funds but argued that the budget still represents a significant improvement, constituting about 4% of Fiji’s GDP. Prasad emphasized that the current government is transparent regarding health challenges and is committed to a comprehensive review of the entire health sector to enhance service delivery.
This situation highlights the ongoing struggle within Fiji’s health system, where despite increased funding, meaningful outcomes may not be translating into improved services. While the challenges are evident, the commitment from the government to conduct a thorough review of the sector represents a proactive step towards addressing these pressing issues. It offers hope for gradual improvements in the healthcare system that could ultimately lead to better health outcomes for all Fijians, particularly vulnerable populations such as women and mental health patients.
In summary, there is a clear need for immediate action and effective strategies to optimize health resources in Fiji, but with government acknowledgment of the issues and a commitment to reform, there is potential for future progress.
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