More GPs included in Free GP Scheme

An additional 23 General Practitioners have been included in the Free GP Scheme that will see more Fijians get access to free health services.

While announcing the 2022-2023 National Budget, Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says there will now be 38 private General Practitioners in 40 outlets, providing medical services to ordinary Fijians, with all costs borne by the Government.

He says the General Practitioners have been selected in Korovou, Nausori, Nakasi, Nadera, Suva, Navua, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, Labasa and Savusavu.

The government-funded medical services on offer at these clinics include consultations, reviews, referrals, injections, and dressings, including minor dressings, multi-urine dipstick, Electrocardiogram (ECG), nebulizer, oxygen supply, ultrasound scan, and the sugar prick test. Approved laboratory testing services under the scheme will provide testing for sugar levels, cComplete blood count, basic metabolic panel, cholesterol level, clycated haemoglobin, liver function; and renal function.

He further says another $200,000 has been allocated to incentivise Private General Practitioners to establish new clinics in densely populated peri-urban and rural areas, including Nawaicoba, Malolo, Naidovi, Drasa, Sabeto, Seaqaqa, Dreketi, Nasarawaqa, Korolevu and Pacific Harbour.

$1 million is allocated for the Free GP Scheme in the 2022-2023 Budget.

Meanwhile, there are currently four Dental Practitioners under the scheme who provide consultation or oral examination, extraction, temporary filling, and permanent filling and $500,000 has been allocated for the Private Dental Practitioners Scheme in the national budget.

Sayed-Khaiyum says this partnership eases the burden on public medical facilities and is initiative is also an opportunity for dentists to grow their patient base and support the public health system in providing the necessary medical care to Fijians.

He says they will also broaden the availability of medical and dental services by allowing medical and dental practitioners engaged under the Public Private Partnership Scheme to prescribe, supply and dispense essential medicines for a 24-hour period, as approved by the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services.

He says this is a means to grant flexibility to patients, not upend the pharmaceutical sector and prescriptions at the clinic level will only be permitted when the nearest pharmacy is closed, otherwise these operators will be fined.

The medicines that the medical practitioners will be able to supply and dispense includes amoxicillin capsules, flucloxacillin capsules, ibuprofen tablets, paracetamol oral rehydration salt, and the medicines that the dental practitioners under the PPP Scheme will be able to supply and dispense include ibuprofen tablets and paracetamol.

Click here for indepth coverage on the 2022/2023 National Budget.