Former head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at CWM hospital Dr James Fong has been appointed the new acting permanent secretary for the Ministry for Health and Medical Services.

Dr Fong replaces outgoing PS Bernadette Welch who has retired from the civil service.

With more than three decades of service as a medical expert, Dr Fong most visibly worked as Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit CWM Hospital, and most recently served as the General Manager for the country’s COVID-19 Incident Management Team.

Public Service Commission chairperson Vishnu Mohan announced the appointment via a statement this afternoon.

He said the Commission had officially accepted the retirement of Ms Welch.

“After serving four years in various roles across the Fijian civil service, Ms Welch will be returning home to her family in Australia,” Mr Mohan said, as he thanked Ms Welch for the many valuable contributions she had made to Fiji over the years.