MEDICAL interns have finally been assigned to hospitals after spending at least six weeks at home, with the Health Ministry attributing the delay to several administrative and clinical requirements.
Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa said the posting process involved a number of factors that had to be resolved before the interns could be deployed.
“Many factors,” he said.
He said one of the requirements was the mandatory open merit recruitment and selection process, while some had failed to complete their clinical examination requirements for their logbooks and had to repeat.
“Another factor was the timing of receiving final results from supervisors, which also contributed to the delay.”
Mr Ravunawa said the ministry also had to deal with several appeals against recommendations made by the posting committee.
These processes resulted in the interns remaining at home for weeks before their placements were finally confirmed.
The delay had raised concerns about the prolonged absence of interns from hospitals, particularly rural facilities where medical staff are often stretched, and additional support is needed.
He said the interns could only be posted after the required academic, assessment and administrative processes had been completed.
He said the ministry had now finalised the postings, allowing the interns to begin their placements at rural hospitals and resume their clinical training and duties.
