CONCERNS have been raised that Fiji’s medical education system may be focusing more on the quantity of graduates than on quality of training and workforce needs.
Fiji Medical Association acting president Dr Ronal Kumar questioned whether current training structures were sustainable given the increasing number of medical graduates entering the system each year.
“Each year, Fiji graduates approximately 150 to 200 medical students from our two medical schools,” he said.
Speaking at the FMA mini conference in Suva on Saturday, he highlighted the growing output from the University of Fiji, the Fiji National University, and overseas-trained returnees.
“We are producing way more doctors into the system now than we will have jobs for in the very near future.”
He said the focus should not only be on increasing graduate numbers, but also on ensuring adequate clinical skills development and proper preparation for work in hospitals and health centres.
“Mass production of doctors come at the cost of quality and poor-quality education of the medical students.”
He also raised concerns over large class sizes and limited training resources.
“MBBS programs probably bring most money to universities but is that ethically right?”
He noted that “80-100 students in a class” may be affecting learning outcomes and hands-on exposure.
“We have surpassed the 1:1000 doctor to patient ratio and cannot afford to keep on training massive number of doctors beyond our need.”
Dr Kumar added that Fiji may not have enough qualified educators and clinical training placements to support medical students effectively before they enter the workforce.
He urged the Ministry of Health, the Higher Education Committee, and Fiji’s two medical schools to review the implementation of the medical school curriculum.
