The healthcare system in Fiji is reportedly experiencing severe challenges, despite increased funding, as highlighted by Opposition MP Premila Kumar. During a parliamentary debate regarding the Ministry of Health’s 2016-2021 reports, Ms. Kumar outlined critical issues including workforce shortages, unspent budget allocations, and inadequate healthcare priorities.
She emphasized that even with a larger budget, the healthcare system is failing, mentioning that newly graduated nurses wait up to six months for employment, while existing staff face overwhelming workloads. Ms. Kumar also pointed out the alarming scarcity of midwives, revealing that there are only 200 midwives for 300,000 women of childbearing age, further exacerbated by the emigration of 500 midwives last year. Although 50 midwives receive training annually with funding from the Australian government, they are not required to remain in Fiji, leading to continued challenges in maternal healthcare.
In addition to personnel issues, Ms. Kumar criticized inefficient budget utilization. She noted that a significant portion of the health budget, including $800,000 designated for staff quarters and nearly all of the $5 million allocated for Labasa Hospital upgrades, remained unspent. This scarcity of allocated funds extends to mental health services as well, with cuts to the budget for St. Giles Psychiatric Hospital despite rising mental health concerns in the community.
In response, Finance Minister Biman Prasad contested Ms. Kumar’s claims, arguing that she neglects the challenges faced during her party’s previous tenure and accused her of lacking a proper understanding of the complexities of governance. He acknowledged the public’s complaints regarding the health sector and stressed the importance of recognizing past mistakes while in power.
Minister Prasad defended the current health budget, stating it now accounts for about 4 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, just shy of the World Health Organization’s recommended 4.5 percent. He reassured that the government is committed to rectifying issues within the health sector and has initiated a comprehensive review to address these ongoing challenges.
Despite the concerning statistics, there is hope that the recent increased funding and commitment from the government may lead to necessary reforms in Fiji’s healthcare system. With transparent discussions and a willingness to review and address past shortcomings, there is potential for the system to improve and better serve the health needs of the Fijian population.
In conclusion, while challenges remain, there is an opportunity for the current administration to take actionable steps towards enhancing healthcare in Fiji, ensuring that both the allocation of funds and the distribution of healthcare services are optimized for the well-being of all citizens.
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