Amendments to the overtime and time off in lieu (TOIL) policy have been implemented to alleviate service delivery concerns at Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s (CWMH) radiology and pharmacy departments, according to Parmesh Chand, the Ministry of Civil Service’s permanent secretary.
Mr. Chand confirmed that these changes were made after consultations with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, stating, “The matter has been satisfactorily resolved. The interests of the ordinary members of the public are always paramount in our service delivery efforts.”
Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, the permanent secretary for the Health Ministry, echoed this sentiment and thanked the Civil Service Ministry for their prompt action. He expressed confidence that the resolution would be communicated to health facilities and staff affected by the previous policy.
However, Judith Kotobalavu, the general secretary of the Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA), raised concerns about the underlying issues highlighted by this situation. She criticized what she sees as a concerning shift away from investing in the public healthcare system, calling for the Ministry to better manage its overtime budget instead of outsourcing essential services. Ms. Kotobalavu emphasized the importance of fair compensation for public servants working in life-saving roles and reassured her commitment to advocating for the integrity of public healthcare services.
The resolution of these policy changes presents an opportunity for the government to strengthen its commitment to public healthcare by ensuring that facilities and staff receive adequate support. It underscores a collaborative approach to addressing issues that affect service deliverability and reflects a hopeful step towards bolstering the healthcare system.
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