Dr. Rayvan Singh, a former senior medical officer with the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS), is challenging his termination, which he deems unjust and orchestrated. On January 20, 2025, the very day he was conducting an orientation for new medical staff, including nurse practitioner Vakaloloma Mocevakaca Nakarawa,-wife of Commissioner Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, Dr. Singh received a sudden termination notice from Human Resources Director Samisoni Naba.
Following the orientation, Dr. Singh appealed to Commissioner Nakarawa to reverse the decision, emphasizing his commitment to the role and his recent relocation from Lautoka to Suva. However, his pleas were in vain, as he was informed that the termination was part of internal changes, despite the absence of any formal performance warnings.
The circumstances surrounding his dismissal have drawn considerable scrutiny, particularly regarding the qualifications of Mrs. Nakarawa, who was appointed to act as a medical officer without the necessary credentials. Dr. Singh noted that he was not presented with any performance evaluations supporting the claims made against him by Dr. Nakarawa, which alleged that he was not fulfilling his duties.
The Fiji Medical Association (FMA) is taking a keen interest in the ethics and ramifications of this case, voicing concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from Mrs. Nakarawa’s appointment, especially since it coincided with Dr. Singh’s termination. The FMA is advocating for an in-depth investigation to ensure the rights and safety of healthcare professionals within the correctional system are upheld.
Justice Minister Siromi Turaga has stated he was unaware of the appointments made by Dr. Nakarawa and has since filed an official complaint with the Constitutional Officers Commission (CoC) for clarification.
This situation not only raises significant ethical questions regarding governance at FCS but also highlights broader issues of workplace equality and human rights within Fiji’s correctional facilities. There is hope that open dialogue among the involved parties may lead to a reassessment of workplace policies, promoting accountability and transparency that can restore integrity to the corrections system.
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