The Fiji Medical Association has raised concerns regarding critical shortages of essential medicines and supplies in public hospitals across Fiji. Association president, Dr. Alipate Vakamocea, has urged the government to urgently tackle these shortages, particularly highlighting the deficit of reagents necessary for conducting full blood counts. He emphasized that the lack of these reagents could severely hinder doctors’ abilities to accurately diagnose and monitor patients.
A complete blood count is a fundamental part of routine health assessments, often used to track various health conditions such as infections, anemia, immune system issues, and blood cancers. Dr. Vakamocea pointed out that issues plaguing the Ministry of Health would persist unless substantial changes are made to the practices at the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS), which oversee the sourcing of medications and biomedical equipment.
Dr. Luke Nasedra, the medical superintendent of CWM Hospital, confirmed that the hospital is currently experiencing reagent shortages due to delays in the procurement process at FPBS. He noted that the lab team is actively working to resolve these issues and has instituted alternative measures. Tests that cannot be conducted at the hospital are being redirected to other ministry laboratories and private facilities that meet quality assurance standards. This is aimed at minimizing the impact on patient care, although he cautioned that such shortages could delay access to critical healthcare services.
It is crucial for the government and relevant authorities to address these procurement challenges promptly to ensure that hospitals can provide the necessary quality of care that patients deserve. Positive steps in collaboration and funding could lead to sustainable improvements in the healthcare supply chain.
Overall, while the current situation presents significant challenges, it also serves as an important call to action for improved health system processes, ensuring that essential medical supplies are reliably available for all citizens.
Leave a comment