The general public is advised that the supply of paracetamol (Panadol) is currently available in the ministry’s pharmacies and health facilities around the country, contrary to statements made in Parliament this week.

The ministry’s Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS) management and staff have been working around the clock to ensure that supplies of paracetamol and other essential medicines and medical products are made available at the pharmacies and health facilities.

Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, urges members of the public to continue to immediately seek medical assistance at their health facilities when they are sick.

Staff in the health facilities were also networking with their divisional and national centres to deliver health services and medical supplies when required at any health facility in Fiji.

The ministry also wishes to advise that in regards to the report of the recent demise of a patient at Savusavu Hospital, which has been discussed in the social media, the ministry staff at the hospital provided the best medical care they could provide to a very sick patient on the day of admission and under the prevailing unfavourable weather condition at the time.

The ministry staff had consulted with the immediate family members throughout the period of care and after the unfortunate outcome, and now request members of the public to allow the family time and space to grieve.