The healthcare system in Fiji is reportedly deteriorating despite higher budget allocations, as stated by Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar. During a parliamentary debate regarding the Ministry of Health’s annual reports for 2016-2021, Ms. Kumar outlined various challenges plaguing the healthcare sector, including staffing shortages and funds that remain underutilized, criticizing the government’s approach to health priorities.
Ms. Kumar expressed concern over the growing crisis, noting the long wait times for newly graduated nurses to secure employment and the excessive workload on existing staff. She emphasized the critical lack of midwives, with only 200 available for 300,000 childbearing women, and lamented the migration of 500 midwives last year, despite an annual training program supported by the Australian Government which does not require the new midwives to remain in Fiji.
Additionally, she pointed to significant amounts of the health budget going unspent; specifically, out of $1 million allocated for staff quarters, $800,000 remains unallocated, and less than $1 million of the planned $5 million for upgrades to Labasa Hospital was utilized. The budget for special maintenance also showed a lack of usage, with $5 million unspent, alongside funds allocated for biomedical supplies and dental equipment.
Moreover, Ms. Kumar criticized the government for cutting the budget for the St Giles Psychiatric Hospital at a time when mental health issues are on the rise, advocating that mental health care is currently in a state of crisis.
In response, Minister for Finance Biman Prasad countered Ms. Kumar’s arguments, suggesting that she and her colleagues are overlooking their administration’s past failures and the current government’s efforts to improve the situation. He acknowledged the concerns regarding underutilized funds but defended the current budget as a substantial enhancement, noting that the allocation now represents around 4% of the nation’s GDP, slightly below the World Health Organization’s recommended 4.5%.
Mr. Prasad also recognized the ongoing challenges within the health sector and highlighted the government’s commitment to transparency and reform, having called for a comprehensive review of the sector to address these issues.
In summary, both the opposition and government representatives agree there are significant challenges within Fiji’s healthcare system, although their perspectives on the causes and solutions differ. This situation underscores the necessity for continued dialogue and collaborative efforts to enhance healthcare services for all Fijians.
It is important to remain optimistic, as increased awareness of these issues may lead to strategic initiatives aimed at revitalizing the healthcare system and ensuring better care for the population. The government’s acknowledgment of existing challenges and their call for comprehensive reviews may pave the way for future improvements.
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