Lautoka residents say three days isn’t enough to register the city’s population of more than 70,000 for the Free Medicine Program (FMP). Narayan Reddy, president of the Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association, argues that if the government truly wants people to re-register, the window should be extended to three months because registration turnout has been hampered by limited staffing.
The Health Ministry announced a three-day registration drive for the program last week, held from Monday to Thursday at Vidilo House. Reddy noted that about 150 to 200 people queued outside to be registered and criticized the number of registration stations as inadequate, saying it would force many residents to miss work or queue for long periods.
Reddy questioned why re-registration was necessary when hospital cards are already in use, pointing out that in Nadi, Sigatoka, Suva, Tavua, and Rakiraki, people typically visit the hospital, proceed to the outpatient department, and then collect free medications from the government pharmacy without having to re-register in Lautoka and Ba. He also urged the government to establish more registration points in densely populated areas of Lautoka, suggesting at least one station in Simla Ward and Waiyavi, plus two in Natabua, to improve accessibility. He warned against repeating the problems seen with Vodafone’s e-ticketing—long queues and delayed registrations.
Nadia Daurewa of Razak Road echoed similar concerns, saying the drive wasn’t well advertised. “We found out through word of mouth, and we didn’t know the requirements. We were told we could go online,” she said, highlighting the risk that those who don’t know how to access online information or who learn of the program at the last minute could be excluded.
Context from broader changes to medication access in the West
Beyond Lautoka, there are ongoing reforms to how medications are dispensed to OPD patients. As of August 1, 2025, Ba Hospital patients treated in the Special Outpatient Clinic, Emergency Department, or General Outpatient Department will pick up medications from a mobile dispensary, while Lautoka Hospital patients will collect theirs from the Lautoka Health Clinic at Vidilo House. Private participating pharmacies will also be able to provide free medicines under the program, addressing shortages and distribution bottlenecks reported in other studies.
Industry voices have also raised concerns about public awareness of the registration process and the capacity of pharmacies to handle increased demand as dispensing changes take effect. HyperChem Pharmacy, among others, has proposed an information booth in Suva to help educate the public about the Free Medicine Program as rollout proceeds. Health leaders, including the Fiji Medical Association, have urged continued government engagement with Aspen Medical and other partners to ensure that vulnerable populations do not lose access to essential medications, including pain relief and other critical drugs, during the transition.
Outlook
While the Lautoka drive revealed clear demands for more accessible registration channels and better public communication, the government’s broader reforms to how medications are dispensed and distributed suggest a move toward more flexible access points and reduced queues for patients. If implemented alongside expanded registration stations and clearer information campaigns, these steps could help ensure that more residents across Lautoka and Ba receive their medications without undue burden.
Summary: Lautoka’s three-day FMP registration drive drew criticism over short windows and limited stations, highlighting a need for more accessible sign-up points and better outreach. At the same time, planned changes to OPD medication dispensing, including mobile and alternate pickup locations, offer a pathway to improved access for all Fijians, with private pharmacies also participating in the program.
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