PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed his concerns about the dilapidated healthcare system, saying the Health Ministry is inundated by medicine shortages and failing infrastructure.
His comments come as discontented Fijians continue to express concerns about the ailing sector, which has continued to deteriorate despite the billions being poured in to sustain healthcare in Fiji.
Speaking at the opening of Tolu Warehouse in Labasa, Vanua Levu yesterday, Mr Rabuka also expressed the Coalition Government’s commitment to fixing the healthcare sector.
“Our health ministry continued to be inundated by the shortages of drugs and essential medicines to meet patient demands,” he said
To address these challenges, he said Government was committed to strengthening the healthcare system.
“Warehouse Tolu is a testament to that commitment and a step forward in alleviating the challenges that burden our healthcare sector.”
He said $2.5million in the ministry’s budget was for enhancing primary healthcare, improve service delivery, and promote preventative health measures through the primary healthcare development approach.
“A critical component of primary healthcare development is access to essential medicines, and this is where the new warehouse for the northern region will play a significant role,” Mr Rabuka said.
He said the $2.2million project funded by the Japanese Government was expected to improve the distribution of essential medicines and enhance healthcare services in the region.
