Concerns have been raised about patients being affected by delays in accessing blood test and radiology services at CWM Hospital, with some reporting they were unable to access full blood count tests and X-ray services.
Some patients were also informed that their full blood count tests could not be completed.
There are also concerns that some patients were unable to access X-ray services over the weekend.
Fiji Medical Association President Doctor Ronal Kumar confirmed to fijivillage News that the issue is linked to unpaid overtime for laboratory and radiology technicians, which is affecting after-hours services.
Dr Kumar says blood tests and X-rays cannot be provided after hours because technicians are not receiving overtime payments for this work.
He says this is not only a CWM Hospital issue, but a concern affecting health facilities across the country.
Dr Kumar says many blood tests are also requested late in the afternoon, around 3pm, which cannot be completed because laboratory and radiology technicians finish work between around 4pm and 4.30pm.
He says this is affecting the health system, as patients are not receiving necessary care on time.
Dr Kumar recommends that facilities with high patient numbers, such as CWM Hospital, consider shift work so emergency and acute cases can continue to be covered.
He says a more sustainable approach is better management of on-call services and ensuring health workers are paid for the overtime they perform.
Dr Kumar says hospitals operate 24 hours a day and cannot continue to rely on the goodwill of staff because radiology technicians, laboratory technicians, physiotherapists and other health workers need to be paid for the work they do.
He also raised concerns about overcrowding at major health facilities, saying delays in investigations such as blood tests and X-rays affect doctors and nurses’ ability to provide timely care.
Dr Kumar says Fiji is currently dealing with increased health challenges, including heart disease, influenza, HIV and AIDS cases, and support services must be strengthened.
He adds that one subdivision in the Western Division has two radiology technicians and two laboratory technicians who have accumulated about 300 hours of time in lieu, which is equivalent to around 30 to 40 working days of pay, or almost two months of overtime owed to the workers.
Insert: this is counter productive to the health system 17th Sept
He stresses that without efficient support services, hospitals will continue to face pressure.
fijivillage News has sent questions to the Minister for Health. We are awaiting his response.
