Fiji is facing a significant shortage of hospital beds, with an estimated deficit of 2,000 needed to adequately serve the country’s population. This issue was brought to light by Dr. Basharat Munshi, the outgoing president of the Fiji Medical Association, during the association’s 63rd Annual Conference held at the Hilton Resort on Saturday.
Dr. Munshi stated that Fiji requires approximately 3,000 hospital beds, highlighting that the country is currently lacking between 1,500 to 2,000 beds. He emphasized the financial implications of addressing this shortage, mentioning that the cost to build enough facilities to meet modern care standards could reach up to $4.46 billion.
He also addressed challenges faced at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM), particularly related to operating theaters. Dr. Munshi noted that the hospital is struggling to utilize its full capacity, leading to a backlog in elective surgeries due to limited theater space, which has had to prioritize emergency cases. Some elective surgeries are being carried out at Oceania Hospital to alleviate the backlog, but such arrangements incur additional costs.
He expressed concerns regarding equipment reliability, specifically mentioning issues with the CT scanner that require outsourcing, further straining the hospital’s budget. Dr. Munshi expressed hope that the recently launched CWM Master Plan would help resolve these ongoing challenges.
Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu assured that the CWM Master Plan aims to tackle these pressing issues effectively.