The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, acknowledged that there have been difficulties with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative during a recent session in Parliament. He was responding to an inquiry from independent Opposition member Jone Usamate regarding the advantages of the PPP model for the healthcare sector.
Dr. Lalabalavu noted that the PPP initiative was launched amid the Covid-19 pandemic to enhance the delivery of medical services. He emphasized that while agreements can offer benefits, they also come with risks, especially if preparations are not handled effectively.
He identified several challenges, including a misunderstanding of the PPP concept, inadequate institutional capacity within public sector agencies, and donor-driven PPPs that tend to lose momentum. Other issues highlighted were weak oversight, limited sustainable resources, political connections, and difficulties in maintaining PPP arrangements.
Despite these challenges, he pointed out that the partnership with Healthcare Fiji and Aspen Medical has introduced new services that have elevated healthcare standards at Lautoka Hospital. Among the advancements are a modern ambulance and medical equipment, a surgical theater, and a cardiology unit catering to low-risk cardiac patients.
Dr. Lalabalavu expressed that while the benefits of the initiative are noticeable, the learning process associated with it has not been executed adequately. He emphasized that the health sector should be involved from the outset in any health-related agreements.
Additionally, he noted the other advantages of the PPP initiative, which include outsourced laundry and security services as needed. Currently, under the free medicine scheme, 59,000 individuals have been registered, along with 490 in the kidney dialysis subsidy program. The number of general practitioners participating in the scheme has increased from 17 in 2021 to 59 currently. Furthermore, security and housekeeping services have been outsourced in four and five hospitals, respectively, including CWM, Labasa, Nadi, Sigatoka, and Navosa.