The Ambassador of the United States to Fiji, Evelyn Teegen, said increasing medical fees could help address Fiji’s health sector challenges, this newspaper reported on December 2, 1991.
Speaking at the opening of the Vanua Levu Carnival in Labasa that year, Mrs Teegen suggested that certain hospital services be privatised and that health insurance schemes be expanded.
She noted that medical fees in Fiji were “incredibly low,” with collections covering less than two per cent of the actual cost of care.
“If fees were increased at a reasonable rate, there could be significant recovery of medical costs,” she said.
“The revenue from these user fees could be returned to the Ministry of Health and help prevent further deterioration in the quality of healthcare.”
However, Mrs Teegen acknowledged that not everyone could afford higher fees.
She said in every society there were always those who literally could not pay, adding that a safety net should be created to support the needy.
On privatisation, Mrs Teegen said the Ministry of Health could reduce costs by outsourcing certain hospital services such as food, laboratory work, laundry, and housekeeping.
“For example, the tourist industry has extensive experience in laundry and housekeeping. Some large hotels with the necessary facilities may be able to operate these services more efficiently and competitively,”
She also recommended expanding private health insurance schemes to include larger groups such as private sector workers, farmers, and landowners, which she said could help reduce individual healthcare costs.
Mrs Teegen added that Fiji could save significantly if more patients were treated locally rather than overseas.
She further highlighted the importance of supporting education on good nutrition and sanitation, providing incentives for continuing education and equitable pay increases for medical staff, and sustaining and improving the professional competence of nurses.
Later, Mrs Teegen, accompanied by her husband, attended a trade fair. The event formed part of the Vanua Levu Carnival held at Subrail Park in Labasa, where five contestants participated in the competition.
