Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu has acknowledged that the Ministry of Health continues to encounter substantial challenges in procuring consumables, perishables, and medications from international sources, which has led to growing public concerns about shortages in hospitals. This issue is compounded by the fact that all these items are imported, resulting in delays attributed to both external supply chain disruptions and internal ordering processes.
In response to a recent incident where a patient was asked to provide their own dressing kits and bed sheets at the Nausori Health Centre, Minister Lalabalavu explained that ongoing supply interruptions remain a reality. He emphasized the ministry’s proactive measures to mitigate the burden on healthcare staff by exploring alternative solutions, such as borrowing medical supplies from other healthcare facilities and redistributing them where necessary.
Lalabalavu indicated that while the ministry places orders for essential items regularly, items are typically delayed due to various complications, including quality control issues with suppliers. He affirmed that there are ongoing efforts to address this situation through measures like short-term requests for quotes (RFQs), enabling the purchase of local supplies when possible.
The ongoing shortages of vital medications and supplies have been an issue not only recently but also a part of a larger trend affecting Fiji’s healthcare system, as highlighted by previous reports. The Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS) faces similar challenges with suppliers failing to meet quality standards, leading to returns and interruptions in the availability of critically needed medications, particularly for chronic diseases.
Experts in public health are advocating for comprehensive reforms to Fiji’s medicine procurement processes to ensure timely access to essential medicines for all Fijians. They believe this crisis presents an opportunity for significant improvements in Fiji’s healthcare procurement framework, ultimately benefiting the healthcare outcomes for the population.
Despite the current challenges, there is a positive outlook as the Ministry of Health is actively working towards resolving these procurement issues, which could lead to a more resilient healthcare system in Fiji. Proponents hope that collaborative efforts among health stakeholders will foster an enhanced healthcare delivery that ensures every Fijian receives the medications they need without delay.
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