The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, has raised significant concerns regarding the ongoing mass departure of healthcare workers from Fiji’s public sector. During the Free Medical Association Annual Scientific Conference, Dr. Lalabalavu noted that the global shortage of healthcare personnel is increasingly threatening Fiji’s health workforce.
To address this issue, the government has implemented various strategies. These include increasing the retirement age from 55 to 60 years, rectifying salary discrepancies within different job categories, and approving salary hikes for civil servants, including doctors and nurses. According to Dr. Lalabalavu, these initiatives have started to reduce the high attrition rates of healthcare workers observed post-COVID-19, and the government is optimistic that this positive trend will continue.
Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized the importance of supporting local and international postgraduate training for healthcare professionals, noting that building a skilled and motivated workforce is essential for providing high-quality health services. He announced that the new National Development Plan is set to launch, offering renewed hope and direction for Fiji’s development, with the Ministry eager to align its strategies accordingly. This will contribute to establishing a resilient health system that embraces innovation and technology, ultimately leading to improved health services for the population.
Moreover, Dr. Lalabalavu stated that upgrading health infrastructure has been a top priority for the Coalition Government since it assumed office a year and a half ago. He highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling these challenges through collaboration, innovative solutions, and decisive actions aimed at enhancing healthcare services throughout the country.