The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is actively enhancing its workforce strategies to build a diverse and engaged medical community. According to Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, the ministry has put significant effort into retaining healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to counteract previous strains experienced in 2021 and 2022. In his recent address to Parliament, Dr. Lalabalavu highlighted a marked decrease in nurse departures as a key achievement, attributing this success to improved working conditions and financial incentives.
The ministry has introduced several measures to bolster job security, including increasing the retirement age and providing substantial salary increments for medical staff over the past two financial years. Additionally, retired workers are being recruited in areas of scarce skills, and opportunities are being offered for capacity building and professional training both locally and internationally. Medical staff who serve in remote areas are also benefiting from provisions that allow them to occupy quarters without the burden of rent.
Dr. Lalabalavu mentioned that the ministry is in the process of creating a National Strategic Plan for the health workforce, aimed at guiding human resources requirements over the next decade. This plan is anticipated to align workforce capacities with service demands and international standards.
These ongoing efforts align with the government’s broader initiative to stabilize the healthcare workforce following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhancements to working conditions and salary structures are designed to make healthcare professions more appealing compared to offers abroad, addressing a pressing need as global healthcare shortages continue to pose challenges.
There is a hopeful outlook for Fiji’s healthcare system as strategic workforce interventions appear to be yielding positive results, contributing to improved service availability and better health outcomes for the community.