In a fiery session this week, Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad called out Opposition MPs Premila Kumar and Alvick Maharaj for what he labeled as “hypocrisy” during discussions on the 2016-2021 Health Ministry annual reports.
“These two honourable Members, when we were in Opposition, twice we moved a motion to have an inquiry into the health system and they were sitting here, this side of Parliament and they opposed it,” Prasad asserted sharply.
He continued, “The result of that, and the fact that we are discussing 2016-2021 Annual Reports is a demonstration of the failure that happened in the health system delivery under the FijiFirst Government and their leader.”
Opposition Criticizes Health System Despite Increased Budget
During the debate, Premila Kumar, an Opposition MP, pointed out that despite a larger health budget under the Coalition Government, the health system is reportedly “collapsing.”
She drew comparisons between the current state of health facilities and those during the Bainimarama administration. “The system is collapsing,” Kumar emphasized, highlighting issues like delayed employment for new nurses and overworked existing staff.
Kumar also shared specific concerns:
- Only 200 midwives are available for 3,000,000 childbearing women.
- Last year, 500 midwives migrated out of the country.
- The annual production of midwives is just 50, many sponsored by the Australian Government but without bonds, leading to poor planning and significant impacts on women’s health.
Financial Mismanagement Alleged in Health Budget Utilization
Kumar accused the current government of mismanaging the 2023-2024 health budget. She provided a detailed account of unspent funds:
| Allocation Category | Budget Allocated | Amount Spent |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Quarters | $1,000,000 | $200,000 |
| Labasa Hospital Upgrades | $5,000,000 | <$1,000,000 |
| Special Maintenance | $5,000,000 | $0 |
| Urban Hospital Equipment | $4,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Biomedical Supplies | $12,400,000 | $7,400,000 |
| Dental Equipment | $1,200,000 | $37,000 |
“This government claims to prioritize healthcare, yet the numbers tell a different story,” Kumar stated. She argued that significant portions of the budget remained unspent, hindering essential upgrades and maintenance.
Impact on Mental Health Services and Infrastructure
Mental health services have not been spared from the alleged budget cuts. Kumar highlighted that funding for St. Giles Hospital, a key mental health facility, was significantly reduced, exacerbating the mental health crisis in the region.
“Mental health is in crisis but the budget for St Giles Hospital was slashed,” she remarked, pointing to the urgent need for increased support and resources in this sector.
Public-Private Partnerships and Healthcare Initiatives Under Scrutiny
Kumar also discussed the public-private partnerships initiated by the previous government, which aimed to enhance healthcare delivery through various subsidy schemes. These included:
- GP Subsidy Scheme
- Private Dentist Subsidy
- Lab Test Subsidy
- Free Medicine Scheme
She mentioned the establishment of specialized facilities like Heart International, Aspen Medical, Pacific Specialist Healthcare, and Nasese Private Hospital, which provided advanced treatments such as open-heart surgery and stenting to more Fijians.
However, despite these initiatives, Kumar questioned their effectiveness under the current administration, suggesting that increased funding has not translated into improved healthcare outcomes.
Workforce Challenges and Strategic Gaps
The healthcare workforce faces significant challenges, with new graduates waiting months for employment and existing staff being overburdened. Kumar questioned the government’s strategy, asking, “Where’s the strategy?”
She emphasized the need for better planning and resource allocation to address workforce shortages and ensure that healthcare services meet the population’s needs.
