HEALTH Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete yesterday told Parliament he was appalled that some members of Parliament were only focused on challenges faced by the public and not those faced by the doctors.
While responding to a question from the Opposition in Parliament yesterday, Dr Waqainabete said a lot of times the efforts of the doctors were left unappreciated.
“The challenges that doctors face in the workplace is real and most times they are unappreciated.
Often, honorable Speaker, you can increase the numbers of doctors at the workplace, but sometimes our people are unappreciative of the work being done,” he said.
“There are also challenges that they may face internally and this may contribute to the stress that they face. What we can do is influence and change what we do.”
Dr Waqainabete revealed in Parliament yesterday that two young medical doctors committed suicide last year. He said one of the young doctors was based at one of the highly populated areas in Nasinu.
“Last year we had two suicides. Two young doctors committed suicide — one of them was in a highly populated area, Makoi. And the reason was very simple — the challenges that they faced and because of that we have ensured that we work them correctly,” Dr Waqainabete said.
“The days of working 36 hours straight without rest are unforgivable. And if anyone in this House is saying that that should continue, that is wrong. By OHS, that is unacceptable.”
He had pleaded with the MPs and the public to bear with the ministry as they continue to work to ensure that not only patients were seen, but also that doctors worked in a safe environment.
