DEPUTY Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad said the consequence of years of serious neglect of health infrastructure and services by the FijiFirst government is clearly evident with a health system on the verge of collapse.
“In the last few days we have learned that the new Navua Hospital, built 10 years ago, on which completion was never properly certified, cannot keep the power and water going,” he said while delivering the 2023-2024 National Budget in Parliament this morning.
“It will need an overhaul which will cost more than $10 million. But this is just one example of the crisis we face in almost all our health facilities.
“The CWM Hospital still has no laundry, years after a fire there.
“Levuka Hospital’s mortuary has finally failed.
“Most of our hospitals are in shocking physical condition. The toilets are not working.
“There are long queues of people waiting for hours in need of urgent health care.
“Medical equipment is not working. Essential drugs and medicines are not available on time.
“We lack 800 nurses. Doctors and other exhausted health professionals are treated poorly and not listened to when they offer solutions.”
