Fiji’s primary healthcare facilities are overstretched, under-resourced and unevenly staffed, says Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) deputy chairman Ratu Suliano Matanitobua.
Ratu Suliano, the Tui Namosi, made the comment before the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the GCC and the Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH Hospitals) Foundation on Monday.
“Fiji’s healthcare system is under tremendous pressure,” he said.
“The Colonial War Memorial Hospital, among others, is operating near full capacity and in some urban areas, one public health nurse is responsible for up to 30,000 people. If we continue in this path, by 2050, our national health expenditure may rise to more than 2.5 times our current per capita spending. This is unsustainable and unacceptable.”
Citing government data, Ratu Suliano said NCDs account for 80 per cent of all deaths in Fiji.
“What is more alarming is that 64 per cent of these deaths are among people of working age, our parents, our youth, our leaders of tomorrow. This crisis is not only human, it is economic.
“NCDs are costing Fiji approximately $US260million ($F591m) annually. We must act and we must act now.”
Ratu Suliano said this was where the PSH presented a model of hope, resilience and local innovation.
“Established in 2016, PSH is 100 per cent Fijian-owned, operated by 100 per cent Fijian staff and 100 per cent Fijian specialists.
“It is a proud example of what we, as a nation, can achieve when we invest in our people.”
Ratu Suliano commended the visionary leadership of PSH founder and CEO Parvish Kumar.
