Trespass into health facilities put staff at risk - Dr Waqainabete

Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has highlighted that one of the issues faced in the health sector is that sometimes the community does not appreciate the health facility and so they trespass and put staff at risk.

Waqainabete highlighted this while visiting the Tavua Hospital  where he also requested that security be tightened to address safety issues raised by resident doctors. 

Concerns about security and trespassing were also noted while touring medical facilities in Ba.

The Minister also highlighted the growing number of female doctors alongside nurses who are transferred to rural facilities.

Waqainabete says that when their staff are at risk and are anxious, they cannot do their job well.

Waqainabete highlighted this during his recent visit to sub‑divisional facilities in Tavua, Ba and Lautoka where resident doctors requested for security be tightened to address safety issues. 

He adds that Fiji cannot afford to have an anxious or fearful doctor or nurse, and they are talking about security in terms of fencing Waqainabete says the community itself needs to also make sure they look after the health staff.