The permanent secretary of the Health Ministry, Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, conducted evaluations at Aspen Medical’s Lautoka and Ba hospitals after the decision to discontinue outpatient medicine dispensary services for patients, effective August 1, 2025. Following a two-hour tour of Lautoka Hospital, Dr. Tudravu stated that these assessments were prompted by community feedback regarding the change.
Under the new arrangement, outpatient department patients will be required to obtain prescribed medications from designated pharmacies as outlined in the concession agreement between the government and Healthcare (Fiji) Pte Ltd, which manages the hospitals. This decision has met with significant opposition from local residents, the Fiji Medical Association, and the Fiji Pharmaceutical Association, who are requesting a reconsideration of how these crucial services are managed.
Concerns have been raised about the ability of private pharmacies to manage an expected influx of patients seeking medications, particularly for vital treatments such as insulin and cancer therapies. The Fiji Medical Association has called this a “shocking move” that threatens the accessibility of healthcare for Fiji’s vulnerable populations. Their representatives have highlighted the potential risks of medication shortages and inadequate services at pharmacies, especially for elderly or rural patients who may face additional difficulties in accessing care.
While the ministry has asserted that the changes comply with existing agreements and are not the result of financial constraints, the ongoing dialogue underscores a broader issue within Fiji’s healthcare system. There are hopes that collaborative discussions between the government and health professionals can lead to improvements that will safeguard patient care and access to vital medications amid the transition.
The optimistically proactive measures proposed by the government, such as agreements with pharmaceutical suppliers aimed at alleviating medication shortages, can represent a pathway to better healthcare access for all Fijians. By acknowledging community concerns and adapting the system to better serve patients, this situation presents an opportunity for long-term enhancements to the public health landscape.
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