Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says 80 per cent of the 99 specialist medical posts have been filled.
He told Parliament last week that 20 per cent of these positions remain vacant, with the highest vacancy rate in the Chief Medical Officer posts at 29 per cent.
“A significant challenge arises from the lack of suitable and qualified candidates, which can delay the filling of specialist positions, and in such cases, these positions are often re-advertised,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“For the past five years, recruitment has improved significantly.
“For example, in 2021, only 52 per cent of advertised specialist positions were filled within four months, and 48 per cent had to be re-advertised.
“By 2025, 83 per cent of positions were filled within four months, and re-advertisement dropped to 17 per cent, reflecting better strategies and candidate availability.”
He said the ministry had a funded plan for the approved doctor’s budget of $82.4 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
“In addition to paying salaries to all field doctor positions, we continue to advertise and recruit specialists for all vacant positions as they arise within the next 12 months, and continue succession planning, allowing acting appointments to maintain service delivery, while candidates complete specialist registration.
“We also engage locum specialists where necessary and specialist distributions by field currently stands: internal medicine — 11 specialists; anaesthesia — nine specialists; obstetrics and gynaecology – eight specialists; general surgery — six specialists; paediatrics — five specialists; ophthalmology — three specialists; radiology — three specialists; neurosurgery, psychiatry, urology and rehabilitation medicine – one specialist each; and public health — 19 specialists.”
He said these figures highlighted critical shortages in areas such as neurosurgery, psychiatry, neurology and rehabilitation medicine, which the ministry is prioritising in its recruitment drive.
Opposition Member of Parliament Alvick Maharaj, in response described the shortage problem as “a very serious issue in Fiji”.
“We have seen many of our patients travelling to India and Australia for their treatment,” Mr Maharaj said.
He asked Dr Lalabalavu whether there are plans to recruit doctors from China and India on bilateral terms.
In response, the minister said they continue to engage with development partners through visiting medical teams.
“We have a budget for visiting teams that come over to ensure that they come and do the services that are very much needed, and in the process look after the patients, especially in terms of reducing the backlog of cases that do require these specialist treatments.”
