The Oceania Hospital in Suva is grappling with a significant workforce shortage, having lost approximately 50 clinicians over the past year due to migration and local job transitions. This trend, exacerbated in the post-COVID era, is increasingly pressuring healthcare services within the facility.
CEO Murgessan Pillay expressed concern about the dwindling pool of experienced local talent, emphasizing the challenges of sustaining high-quality patient care under these circumstances. He indicated that the situation necessitates a reliance on expatriate professionals, not only to fill gaps in staffing but also to enhance the skill development of local healthcare workers. “In circumstances like this, maintaining the desired standard and quality healthcare consistently is an increasingly difficult challenge,” Pillay noted. He advocated for adopting global best practices and innovative approaches to meet healthcare demands.
This issue is reflective of broader trends within Fiji’s healthcare system, where the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, has highlighted similar concerns regarding the mass exodus of healthcare workers from the public sector. During a recent conference, he noted that the global shortage poses significant risks to Fiji’s health workforce. The government has sought to address these challenges by increasing the retirement age, correcting salary discrepancies, and providing salary increases for healthcare professionals.
Dr. Lalabalavu mentioned that certain government initiatives have started to show a reduction in the high attrition rates following the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of future strategies, he noted the importance of training and developing a skilled workforce, which aligns with the Oceania Hospital’s approach to filling its ranks with expatriates while enhancing local skills.
Despite the staffing difficulties highlighted by both Pillay and Lalabalavu, there remains a commitment to improving healthcare delivery and patient care in Fiji. With ongoing initiatives to bolster the workforce and infrastructure, there is hope for a resilient and evolving healthcare system that can meet the growing demands.
Overall, while the challenges are significant, there are proactive measures being taken to address the workforce shortages in Fiji’s healthcare sector, offering a potential path forward for better service delivery and health outcomes.
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