The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, has voiced significant concerns regarding the ongoing mass departure of healthcare professionals from Fiji’s public sector. During his address at the Free Medical Association Annual Scientific Conference, he noted that the global shortage of healthcare workers poses a serious risk to Fiji’s health workforce.
In response, Dr. Lalabalavu outlined several government strategies aimed at mitigating the issue. These initiatives include raising the retirement age from 55 to 60 years, addressing salary discrepancies among different healthcare roles, and approving salary hikes across the civil service, particularly for doctors and nurses.
He reported that since implementing these measures in 2023, there has been a noticeable reduction in healthcare worker attrition rates, which spiked during the post-COVID period. The government is optimistic that this positive trend will continue.
Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized the importance of supporting both local and international postgraduate training for healthcare professionals. “Building a skilled and motivated workforce, ensuring we have the right people in the right positions with the appropriate skills, is essential for providing high-quality health services to the communities we serve,” he stated.
Furthermore, he mentioned the upcoming launch of the new National Development Plan, which aims to offer fresh direction for Fiji’s development. The Ministry plans to align its strategies with this plan to foster a resilient healthcare system that embraces innovation and technology, ultimately striving to provide high-quality, evidence-based health services that contribute to the Ministry’s vision of a healthier Fiji.
Dr. Lalabalavu also highlighted that enhancing health infrastructure has been a priority for the Coalition Government since it took office a year and a half ago. He affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing healthcare challenges through collaboration, innovation, and decisive actions to improve healthcare services throughout the country.