NEW tender contracts of procurement of medicines will be directly affected by rising fuel prices, warns the Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa.
Mr Ravunawa said no sector was spared with the fuel price increase, including the health sector.
“At the moment, over 80 per cent of medicine and medical equipment are on tender for three to five years,” Mr Ravunawa said.
He made these comments after the Fiji Medical Association president Ronald Kumar stated that procuring of medicines had been impacted due to the fuel price increase.
In response to queries from this newspaper, he said the ministry relied heavily on the long-term tender arrangements to ensure a consistent supply of medicine, equipment and medical consumables to hospitals and health centres.
“New tender contracts will be directly affected.”
The fuel price increases will add pressure to logistics and transport costs, which are key components in delivering medical supplies across the country.
“We are anticipating rise in procurement.”
He said they were committed to maintaining access to essential medicine and medical equipment for all Fijians.
