Fiji experienced a sharp rise in the exodus of healthcare workers after COVID – Dr Lalabalavu

Fiji experienced a sharp rise in the exodus of healthcare workers immediately after the COVID pandemic which has contributed to a shortage in our human resources for health, and this includes the medical imaging workforce.

This was highlighted by Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Atonio Lalabalavu.

While delivering his speech at the Fiji Society of Medical Imaging Technologists Annual Conference yesterday, Dr Lalabalavu said the Ministry of Health does have some challenges and one of them is this.

He says the enhancement of medical imaging capacity in the private health sector in Fiji has also impacted the distribution of technologists in the public and private sectors.

He adds that educators, employers, and professional bodies need to work together to define sustainable solutions that can address their needs collectively and build resilience in their service and educational systems moving forward.

Dr Lalabalavu says solutions must facilitate equitable and affordable access to health services for their patients, drive innovation, offer choice and flexibility, and promote the ongoing development and equitable distribution of the workforce.