The paperwork for 194 intern doctor placements has not reached the Prime Minister’s table.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said assigning 194 intern doctors a work placement required a structured administrative process.
“The recommendation letters have not gotten to my table,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said relevant authorities must complete recommendations and assessments before reaching his office.
“My approval is automatic as the assessments and recommendations are made before the files get to me.”
This contradicts the statement made by the Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa that the paperwork was already awaiting the prime minister’s approval.
“A submission has already been made to the Ministry of Civil Service, awaiting the Prime Minister’s approval. We are anticipating a response this month,” he said.
The 194 intern doctors, whose internships are nearing completion, remain uncertain about their future employment within the public health system.
Mr Ravunawa said the doctors were urgently needed, describing them as part of the country’s scarce pool of professionals.
“We need doctors, and they are part of the scarce professionals in the country at the moment.”
He said once approved, the intern doctors would be deployed to strengthen staffing levels in public health facilities facing increasing patient demand.
