The nations health system is not adequately structured to meet the growing needs of its population, according to a new report by the World Bank.
The findings highlight uneven distribution of healthcare workers and call for a reassessment of resources to better align with population density and disease burden.
World Bank health specialist Mesulame Namedre who shared these findings, said health worker distribution was particularly problematic in areas such as the Suva-Nausori corridor, which houses about a quarter of Fiji’s population.
“So within the Suva-Nausori corridor, where probably a quarter of your population lives, the volume of health workers is not enough,” Mr Namedre said.
“It’s about looking at what your population is looking like, what your disease burden is looking like, and then reallocating your resources based on that.”
The report uses data to provide evidence for policy recommendations aimed at addressing these disparities and ensuring that health resources are allocated where they are most needed.
The goal, according to Mr Namedre, is to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the health system.
In addition to workforce distribution, World Bank senior health specialist Margareta Norris Harrit said the report also draws attention to the overall density of healthcare workers in Fiji.
Ms Harrit said Fiji was nearing the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the number of skilled health workers per population.
Fiji’s ratio currently stands at 4.4 health workers per 1000 people, just below the WHO’s recommended benchmark of 4.45.
“So what is that ratio? What it measures is skilled health workers, meaning doctors, nurses, and midwives,” Ms Harrit said.
“And there’s an international standard that is being used as a comparator across countries.
“It doesn’t mean that that is the perfect standard. It is just a ratio that allows you to compare between different countries.”
The report suggests that to meet the needs of the population, Fiji must focus on strategic allocation of healthcare workers, along with long-term planning and investment to improve service delivery and health outcomes.
