The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is making significant strides in enhancing workforce strategies to cultivate a diverse and engaged medical community. Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has emphasized the ministry’s commitment to retaining healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in response to the workforce strains faced in 2021 and 2022. During a recent address to Parliament, Dr. Lalabalavu reported a notable reduction in nurse departures, attributing this success to improved working conditions and financial incentives.
To reinforce job security, the ministry has implemented various measures including raising the retirement age and providing considerable salary increases for medical staff over the past two financial years. Furthermore, retired healthcare professionals are being recruited in areas facing skill shortages, alongside opportunities for local and international professional training. Medical staff assigned to remote areas benefit from provisions that allow them to reside in quarters without incurring rental expenses.
Dr. Lalabalavu also shared that the ministry is developing a National Strategic Plan for the health workforce, which is intended to guide human resources requirements for the next decade. This plan aims to align workforce capabilities with service demands and international standards.
These initiatives coincide with the government’s broader goal of stabilizing the healthcare workforce in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. By enhancing working conditions and salary structures, the ministry seeks to make healthcare professions more attractive than international offers, effectively addressing the persistent global healthcare shortages.
The outlook for Fiji’s healthcare system is optimistic, as these strategic interventions are beginning to produce positive outcomes, leading to improved service availability and better health outcomes for the community. The commitment to developing a robust healthcare workforce demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring a resilient health system moving forward.