Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu announced that his ministry is addressing the challenge posed by the surplus of medical interns in the country. The Fiji Medical Association raised this issue during its annual conference, highlighting concerns from experienced doctors regarding the imbalance between the high number of interns and the limited number of supervisors, alongside insufficient clinical exposure.
During the conference, Dr. Lalabalavu acknowledged the issue, stating, “We are fortunate to have a growing number of young, enthusiastic medical interns, but the current structure cannot fully accommodate them, leading to overcrowded rotations and reduced learning opportunities.”
He emphasized that the ministry is exploring strategies to manage this surplus of medical interns and is committed to creating opportunities as a result. In collaboration with the World Health Organization, the ministry is also conducting a comprehensive workforce assessment to ensure that the healthcare sector has the appropriate number of doctors, nurses, and allied health staff. This initiative aims to alleviate the burnout currently faced by many health professionals.