Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu has revealed in Parliament that majority of the health care facilities are in a poor state with damaged infrastructure, an insufficient program for maintenance and upkeep, poor water, hygiene, and sanitation facilities.
He also revealed that last year alone, 807 nurses resigned from the Ministry.
While responding to the President’s opening speech, Dr Lalabalavu says they have managed to visit over 50 health care facilities around the country and this visit has informed him about two key elements essential to their vision for excellence in health care.
He says they will prioritize improving and maintaining the 220 health facilities and the associated infrastructure, and in doing so, they can improve the environment where health care is delivered to our people and also improve the working environment for the medical staff who are sent to these facilities to live, work and serve the people of Fiji.
The Minister says they will place greater emphasis on providing these facilities with better access to water, sanitation and hygiene, power, and internet connectivity wherever possible, in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
He highlighted that the Ministry has come under the spotlight lately and has been scrutinized by the media and members of the public on social media due to its infrastructure.
In regards to medical professionals resigning, the Minister says this is an issue they cannot shy away from and requires a multi-sectoral approach.
He adds they will work together with the wider Ministry and Health Facility leadership teams and with government to look for solutions to these issues.
The Minister also acknowledged all 7,000 health workers serving around Fiji and thank them for their commitment and efforts in seeing our nation through one of its most turbulent times – fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the last 3 years and keeping it at bay, which we are continuing to do today.
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