Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has announced that his ministry is addressing the issue of an excessive number of medical interns in the country. This concern was raised by the Fiji Medical Association during its recent annual conference, where experienced doctors expressed worries about the imbalance between the high number of interns and the limited number of supervisors, which hinders adequate clinical exposure.
Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized that while it is beneficial to have a growing pool of eager medical interns, the current system is struggling to accommodate them effectively. This has led to overcrowded rotations and restricted learning experiences. The minister assured that the Ministry of Health is exploring various strategies to manage this surplus and stated, “There will be opportunities created out of this overabundance.”
Additionally, Dr. Lalabalavu revealed that, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the ministry is conducting a comprehensive workforce assessment. This initiative aims to ensure an appropriate number of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, ultimately helping to alleviate the burnout rates currently faced in various health sectors.