The healthcare system in Fiji is reportedly experiencing significant challenges despite a larger budget allocation. Opposition MP Premila Kumar raised her concerns during a parliamentary debate on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ consolidated review from 2016 to 2021. She highlighted severe staffing shortages and criticized the government for its management of healthcare priorities.
Kumar pointed out alarming trends, including newly graduated nurses experiencing delays of up to six months before employment, which indicates a troubling oversaturation of the healthcare system. She emphasized the critical shortage of midwives, revealing that only 200 midwives are available to serve 300,000 women of childbearing age. The situation has worsened following the migration of 500 midwives last year, while only 50 new midwives are trained annually with the support of the Australian Government, without any obligation for them to remain in Fiji.
In addition to staffing woes, Kumar expressed discontent with the underutilization of the current health budget. She cited figures showing that a substantial portion of allocated funds remained unspent, including $800,000 meant for staff quarters and nearly all of the $5 million earmarked for Labasa Hospital upgrades. These concerns extend to mental health services, where Kumar lamented budget cuts at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital amid increasing needs for mental health care.
In response, Finance Minister Biman Prasad defended the government’s performance, suggesting that the opposition members are failing to recognize the challenges they left behind when they were in power. He underscored the need for honesty from both sides of the aisle regarding past mistakes while emphasizing that the current health budget represents significant investment, amounting to about 4% of Fiji’s GDP, just shy of the World Health Organization’s recommended level.
Prasad acknowledged the issues within the healthcare system but reassured citizens that the government is committed to transparency and improvement, having initiated a comprehensive review of the health sector.
This ongoing debate highlights the important discussions around healthcare planning and resource allocation in Fiji. As both sides strive for improvements in their healthcare system, citizens can remain hopeful that the dialogues will lead to tangible changes that address the needs of healthcare workers and the wellbeing of the population.
In summary, while Fiji’s healthcare system faces pressing challenges, the acknowledgment of these issues by both government and opposition suggests a shared commitment to seeking solutions, which is a positive step forward for the nation’s health landscape.
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