Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says the Ministry continues to face a workforce issue in terms of nursing numbers and is doing its best to address the situation.
While responding to comments by Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj in Parliament that newly graduated nurses wait up to six months for employment while established staff are overworked, Dr Lalabalavu says newly graduated nurses have a set timeframe between when they graduate and when they apply for positions.
He says the recruitment must also follow the Open Merit Recruitment Selection system, which can take some time to complete.
Dr Lalabalavu adds that despite the process, most or nearly all graduate nurses are employed soon after graduation.
The Minister acknowledges there is still a shortfall in nursing numbers, estimated at between 60 to 70 percent.
He says this is why the Ministry is ensuring that nurses under Band F are entitled to overtime.
Dr Lalabalavu adds that the Ministry is also looking to increase the number of nursing intakes from tertiary institutions to boost the overall workforce.
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