THE Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Atonio Lalabalavu has directed his ministry to maximise every dollar following the $611.6million allocation secured for the 2025-2026 National Budget, a significant jump from last year’s $540million.
Dr Lalabalavu acknowledged that the ministry had sought a larger sum.
“Like any budget submission, I’ve mentioned this before, we always ask for more,” he said.
“But we have competing priorities, and the government has competing priorities. We are grateful for the allocation that we have.”
Dr Lalabalavu noted the general impact of other budgetary increases, particularly in infrastructure and agriculture on public health.
“Also, if you note that there are improvements in the allocations of infrastructure, agriculture. In that sense, you are improving the social determinants of health. Indirectly, in a way, that will also be beneficial for the Ministry of Health.”
Dr Lalabalavu emphasised the ministry’s responsibility to effectively utilise the funds provided.
“But nevertheless, with essential programmes that we had requested an increase on, we’ve been given that. Now to ensure on the ministry to ensure that it capitalises on utilising the budgetary allocation to its maximum capacity.”
