Fiji’s healthcare system is currently facing a significant shortage of hospital beds, with an estimated deficit of between 1,500 and 2,000 beds needed to adequately serve the country’s population. This concern was raised by Dr. Basharat Munshi, the outgoing president of the Fiji Medical Association, during their 63rd Annual Conference held at the Hilton Resort on Saturday.
Dr. Munshi emphasized that Fiji requires approximately 3,000 beds based on its current population. He pointed out that meeting this demand would necessitate an investment of around $4.46 billion to ensure that facilities are built to high standards capable of providing optimal care.
Additionally, he highlighted ongoing challenges within the CWM Hospital, particularly regarding its operating theater capacity. Dr. Munshi remarked that the hospital is currently unable to perform elective surgeries due to limited space and resources, with a focus primarily on emergency cases. While some elective operations are managed at the Oceania Hospital to alleviate the backlog, this solution incurs additional costs.
He noted the strain on the budget when essential equipment like CT scans breaks down and must be outsourced for repairs. Despite these challenges, Dr. Munshi expressed hope that the recently launched CWM master plan will help address these pressing issues within the healthcare system.
Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu reaffirmed that this master plan aims to tackle the various challenges faced by the hospital network.