Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, has raised significant concerns regarding the ongoing mass departure of healthcare workers from Fiji’s public sector. During his address at the Free Medical Association Annual Scientific Conference, Dr. Lalabalavu highlighted that the global shortage of healthcare professionals poses a serious threat to Fiji’s health workforce.
To address this issue, the Government has implemented several strategies, including increasing the retirement age from 55 to 60, rectifying salary disparities among different staff categories, and granting salary hikes across the civil service, affecting both doctors and nurses. He noted that these initiatives, introduced in 2023, have contributed to a reduction in the post-COVID attrition rates among healthcare workers, with expectations for this positive trend to persist.
Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized the Government’s commitment to supporting both local and international postgraduate training for healthcare workers, asserting that building a skilled and motivated workforce is essential for providing high-quality health services.
He also announced the upcoming launch of the new National Development Plan, which aims to provide fresh hope and direction for Fiji’s development. The Ministry is eager to align its initiatives with the new plan, striving to create a resilient health system that leverages innovation and technology to deliver evidence-based health services, ultimately contributing to the vision of a healthier population in Fiji.
Additionally, Dr. Lalabalavu stated that improving health infrastructure has been a primary focus for the Coalition Government since taking office a year and a half ago. He reiterated that the Government is committed to addressing healthcare challenges through collaboration, innovation, and decisive actions to enhance the country’s healthcare services.