The Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, has voiced serious concerns regarding the significant departure of healthcare professionals from Fiji’s public sector.
During his address at the Free Medical Association Annual Scientific Conference, Dr. Lalabalavu pointed out that the global shortage of healthcare workers is a growing issue that is jeopardizing Fiji’s health workforce.
To address this challenge, he revealed that the Government has implemented several strategies, including increasing the retirement age from 55 to 60 years, rectifying salary disparities among various roles, and approving salary increases for all civil service staff, particularly doctors and nurses.
Dr. Lalabalavu noted that since 2023, these initiatives have contributed to a decline in the high attrition rates of healthcare workers observed in the aftermath of COVID-19, and the Government is optimistic that this trend will persist.
He emphasized that the Government remains committed to supporting local and overseas postgraduate training for healthcare professionals, stating that developing a skilled and motivated workforce is essential for providing high-quality healthcare services.
Dr. Lalabalavu also mentioned the forthcoming launch of the new National Development Plan, which aims to provide renewed hope and guidance for Fiji’s development.
He expressed the Ministry’s eagerness to align its strategies with this new plan, focusing on building a resilient health system that incorporates innovation and technology to deliver high-quality, evidence-based health services, ultimately contributing to the vision of a healthier population in Fiji.
Furthermore, he highlighted that enhancing health infrastructure has been a priority for the Coalition Government since it took office.
Since assuming power a year and a half ago, the Coalition Government has been clear and intentional in its policy priorities, aiming to confront these challenges through collaboration, innovation, and decisive actions to improve healthcare services throughout the country.