Fiji Nursing Association President, Doctor Adi Alisi Vudiniabola has acknowledged the government for securing the payment for the nurses, as this has been the main issue they have been negotiating for the past 5 months.
Adi Alisi says the approval from the Ministry of Finance on this payment has been a great relief and has resolved some of the disputes regarding claims they have been pursuing with the government.
The FNA President says they are now calling on the government to immediately stop the 12-hour nurses' shifts, allowing their members to have quality time with their families.
She says no wonder nurses leave for better work opportunities because of bad leadership and they will continue to leave if the government does not look after them.
She adds the association has called on the government to value, protect, respect and invest in nurses for a sustainable future for nursing and healthcare.
Minister for Health and Medical Services, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says the Ministry of Finance has approved the proposed adjustment in their nurses' salary steps according to years of experience.
Ratu Atonio says this will be implemented for nurses in Band F and their senior nurses in Band G and above.
He says for the health workforce, it is no secret that the high attrition rates for healthcare workers from their ministry in the last 24 months have impacted their ability to deliver health services.
He adds as they reached the 65th annual general meeting today it is a significant milestone for nurses at all levels of employment in the Ministry and it is a clear signal from the government that it values the role of nurses in Fijian uplifting the health, social, and economic wellbeing of our communities through their passion and dedication with skills in delivering health care services to the people of Fiji.
More than 200 nurses attended the Fiji Nursing Association 65th Annual General Meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva today.
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