The Ministry of Health recorded 25 staff resignations in December. This, as compared with 51 in August, 58 in September, 41 in October and 29 in November.
Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu highlighted this when asked about the labour shortages affecting the sector in Fiji.
Among health workers in Fiji, nurses constitute a sizeable chunk of those tendering their resignations and heading for greener pastures abroad.
While Dr Lalabalavu acknowledged that they couldn’t do anything to stop those who were attracted by higher pay packages overseas, the ministry was doing its part to improve working conditions, pay all allowances, wages, and salaries on time, and ensure that medications and perishables were available in health facilities.
He also spoke about the recent face-off between the ministry and the nursing association, and Dr Lalabalavu said he was glad the issue was solved.
He said a lot of people were disgruntled and had a lot of issues, and many of them had not been able to raise it with the previous minister.
“So, the first thing is acknowledging them,” he said.
“When they came in, I knew they were frustrated. I was quiet and I listened.”
Dr Lalabalavu said this was important as they managed to reach a consensus with the association, and most of their grievances had been addressed.
However, he said they were still in talks to iron out the remainder of issues that the nurses in the country faced.
