ANY violence against medical professionals in Fiji has been condemned as absolutely disgraceful.
Fiji Human Rights Commissioner Alefina Vuki expressed this in the wake of the alleged murder of Dr Isireli Biumaitotoya, commonly known as Leighly Leli Darling.
Ms Vuki expressed shock and outrage at the killing, urging society to reflect on the broader implications of such acts, especially against members of a profession that is already under strain in Fiji.
“We’ll just have to wait for the police report,” said Ms Vuki.
“But certainly, violence and hate crimes, that is something no society or no right-thinking person would ever support, and we strongly condemn the violence.
“This senseless violence that we receive from reading what is in the press, we are just horrified and shocked that that took place.
“And for it to happen to a professional who is quite well-known and in a medical profession that she belongs to, it is even more devastating.”
Ms Vuki highlighted Fiji’s ongoing shortage of skilled healthcare workers and emphasised the loss as both a personal tragedy and a national concern.
“When you think that Fiji suffers a scarcity in that area of medical skills, that horrific senseless death, the impact alone in relation to the kind of medical skill that this country needs, society really should wake up and be aware of this kind of senseless violence that occurs.”