We have filled up most of the 800 nursing positions left vacant – Dr Fong

We have filled up most of the 800 positions that were left vacant by nurses that have gone overseas.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong stated this at the induction of 233 nurse interns today when asked by fijivillage News on the positions left vacant by the nurses leaving and if it is affecting delivery of service.

Dr Fong says by the end of this financial year, they should be able to promote people upwards or sideways so that they end up with all the junior roles being filled by the new graduates as they come up.

He adds they expect 80 to 90 percent of the 800 positions to be filled by the end of this financial year.

The Permanent Secretary says they have a working group and their terms of reference are to look at the remuneration packages for the nurses.

He further says the working group comprises of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Civil Service and stakeholders in nursing which are the Fiji Nursing Association and other professional bodies.

Dr Fong adds the working group has 7 to 10 days to come back with the proposals that they are going to put as their budget submission.

When questioned on whether there was a backup plan by the Ministry to try and retain the nurses, Dr Fong says they can’t afford it.