More than 200 intern doctors have spent two-and-a-half years completing an internship that was meant to take two years, with 23 still waiting for postings after finishing their training.
Fiji Medical Association acting president Dr Ronal Kumar highlighted the situation, saying some doctors had secured positions following the association’s efforts, while others remained without postings.
He said of the 23 doctors still waiting, 11 were from Suva, two from Labasa and 10 from Lautoka.
Dr Kumar said almost 20 more doctors were expected to complete their internships by the end of the month, placing further pressure on the system to provide timely postings for graduates.
He said the situation highlighted the need for proper workforce planning, with the FMA offering to help the Health Ministry identify gaps and determine how those positions could be filled.
He also raised the issue of medical education, calling for a uniform curriculum across medical schools.
“Hold them to task to produce quality over quantity,” he said.
Dr Kumar said the focus should be on the quality of doctors being trained rather than simply increasing graduate numbers.
