A total of 280 medical officers resigned from Fiji’s Ministry of Health over the years 2022 and 2023, leading to a shortage of senior specialist doctors. This year alone, 15 doctors have already resigned.
Dr. Basharat Munshi, the outgoing President of the Fiji Medical Association, shared these statistics during the association’s 63rd annual conference at the Hilton Resort on Saturday. He expressed concern about the seniority of the doctors leaving, noting that many of them are trained specialists, which has a detrimental impact on the healthcare system.
Dr. Munshi pointed out that a significant number of these doctors are transitioning to the private sector, marking a considerable exodus in the past two years. He suggested that the Ministry of Health should carry out a survey to investigate the “push” and “pull” factors behind the doctors’ departures.
In response, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, the Minister for Health, acknowledged the challenge, stating that it significantly affects healthcare services in both primary health facilities and major hospitals. Nevertheless, he remarked that the resignation rate has declined this year.
Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized the importance of improving working conditions and remuneration to address the various factors contributing to the medical staff shortage. He acknowledged that while improving infrastructure is vital, human resources remain essential for delivering quality healthcare, and addressing both push and pull factors is crucial.