In 2022 and 2023, a total of 280 medical officers resigned from Fiji’s Ministry of Health, leading to a shortage of senior specialist doctors. This year alone, 15 doctors have submitted their resignations.
Dr. Basharat Munshi, the outgoing President of the Fiji Medical Association, shared these statistics during the association’s 63rd annual conference held at the Hilton Resort on Saturday. He expressed concern about the seniority of the departing doctors, noting that many are trained specialists, which significantly impacts the healthcare system.
Dr. Munshi pointed out that a considerable number of these doctors have transitioned to the private sector, contributing to a notable exodus in recent years. He emphasized the need for the Ministry of Health to conduct a survey to better understand the “push” and “pull” factors influencing doctors’ departures.
Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu recognized the challenges this situation poses to healthcare delivery across primary health settings and major hospitals, but mentioned that the rate of resignations has declined this year. He acknowledged that the factors enticing doctors away are difficult to compete with, and emphasized the importance of improving working conditions and remuneration. Dr. Lalabalavu underscored that even with enhancements in infrastructure, the focus must remain on human resources to ensure quality healthcare, stressing the need to address both push and pull factors effectively.