Serious concerns raised as radiology services and pharmacies at Govt hospitals and health centres close at 4.30pm

Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals and health centres close at 4.30pm after a recent circular from the Ministry of Civil Service.

The circular from the Ministry of Civil Service says that this is because of non-payment of Overtime for Band F staff, these officers will be utilizing their owing hours or Time-Off In Lieu (TOIL).

Staff have been told to take their time off but due to their shortage in numbers, questions are being asked who will work if these staff members take their days off.

fijivillage News has asked the Ministries of Health and Civil Service what are the contingency measures if patients need an urgent Ultrasound Scan, CT Scan, X-ray, or ANC Ultrasound after 4.30pm to before 8am.

Doctors and nurses are being asked to check their patients’ charts and hand them in to the pharmacies before 4.30pm to get their dosages for the night until the morning.

We have sent questions to the Ministries of Health and Civil Service on what is being labelled as a backward step in providing health services.

We are awaiting their response.