Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu announced that his ministry is working to tackle the issue of an excess of medical interns in the country. This concern was raised during the Fiji Medical Association’s annual conference over the weekend, where experienced doctors pointed out the imbalance between the high number of interns and the limited number of supervisors, alongside the lack of clinical exposure.
Dr. Lalabalavu addressed the conference, stating that efforts are underway to manage the surplus of medical interns. He acknowledged the positive aspect of having a growing cohort of eager and young medical interns, but noted that the existing framework is unable to accommodate them fully, leading to cramped rotations and restricted learning experiences.
The Minister emphasized that the ministry is considering various options to address this issue, with plans to create opportunities arising from the surplus. Additionally, he mentioned a collaboration with the World Health Organization to conduct a comprehensive workforce assessment within the ministry. This initiative aims to optimize the number of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, ultimately helping to alleviate the burnout that many health workers are currently experiencing.