The Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) is exploring a medical insurance scheme to its members, reveal tender documents made public.
FNPF states in the tender documents this is to address the growing burden of healthcare costs, particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
With NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer on the rise, FNPF members have faced increasing withdrawals from their savings, averaging $5,000 per member since 2015 for urgent medical treatments, a figure expected to climb significantly.
“This figure is expected to increase significantly with the rising costs of medical treatment and the high incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Fiji, meaning further strain on members’ funds,” states FNPF.
“The fund is exploring how to mitigate this trend through an appropriate medical insurance scheme and is seeking a suitable consultant to provide expertise in the design and delivery of the scheme.”
FNPF is looking for a consultant to evaluate the health needs of FNPF members, focusing on prevalent conditions like NCDs and identify gaps in existing healthcare access and insurance coverage.
The consultant will need to propose a medical insurance model, detailing benefits, coverage levels, and eligibility criteria.
The consultant will also advise on whether the scheme should be voluntary or mandatory and whether it should operate independently or in partnership with existing providers.
