The shortage of nurses and doctors is now a chronic issue that Fiji’s Ministry of Health continues to deal with in all hospitals and health centres, said Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu.
At the Nasea Health Centre in Labasa town of Vanua Levu, the second-largest island in Fiji, the ministry continued working on avenues to mitigate the shortage of staff.
He considered the recent plans and discussions for the facility to be expanded, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported on Monday.
However, with the Nasea Health Centre being an ideal spot located in town, Lalabalavu urged other private practitioners and pharmacies to assist patients in seeking medical services as needed.
He added that the ministry had plans for the maintenance of the Labasa main hospital, but funds would depend on the upcoming fiscal year.
The Nasea Health Centre currently has 20 nurses and seven doctors who look after more than 200 patients daily, according to the minister.
Xinhua/NAN
