Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu has acknowledged ongoing challenges faced by the Ministry of Health in procuring essential consumables, perishables, and medications from international sources, which has raised public concerns about shortages in hospitals. The situation is exacerbated by the reliance on imported goods, resulting in delays that stem from both external supply chain disruptions and internal ordering hurdles.
Minister Lalabalavu addressed a recent incident where a patient at the Nausori Health Centre was requested to bring their own dressing kits and bed sheets. He highlighted that these supply interruptions have become a persistent issue. To alleviate the burden on healthcare staff, the ministry is exploring various alternative solutions, such as borrowing medical supplies from other healthcare facilities and redistributing them as needed.
Despite the ministry regularly placing orders for necessary items, complications such as quality control issues with suppliers often contribute to delays. To combat this, Lalabalavu mentioned efforts to implement short-term requests for quotes (RFQs), allowing for the purchase of local supplies whenever feasible.
The ongoing shortages of critical medications and supplies are part of a broader trend affecting Fiji’s healthcare system. Reports indicate that the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS) also faces issues with suppliers not meeting quality standards, leading to the return of subpar products and disruptions in the availability of essential medications, particularly for patients with chronic diseases.
Public health experts advocate for comprehensive reforms to Fiji’s medicine procurement processes to ensure timely access to essential drugs for all citizens. They view this crisis as an opportunity to significantly enhance Fiji’s healthcare procurement framework, which could ultimately improve health outcomes for the population.
Despite current challenges, the Ministry of Health is actively working to resolve these procurement issues. There is optimism that collaborative efforts among health stakeholders can lead to an improved healthcare system in Fiji, ensuring that all citizens can access the necessary medications promptly. This proactive approach signals a commitment to strengthening Fiji’s healthcare delivery and responsiveness to patient needs.
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