Health Ministry tightens overtime approvals amid abuse allegations

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has introduced stricter overtime approval rules following allegations that some medical staff abused overtime claims.

While the Assistant Minister says supervisors must approve overtime before staff work extra hours, doctors have raised concerns that delays in approvals could affect emergency patient care.

Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa did not deny the allegations, which include claims that some staff at a major hospital consumed kava during working hours before claiming overtime.

"It will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis," Mr Ravunawa said when asked whether the allegations were true.

He said all overtime requests would now require prior approval.

"We will continue to monitor the system and the processes for approving overtime. Approval has to be obtained first from the supervisor before any staff member can work overtime.

"All centre heads have been reminded to be vigilant in the new financial year. We will closely monitor the implementation of programmes and look forward to improved productivity from our team."

The move comes as nurses, backed by the Fiji Nursing Association (FNA), continue to call on the Government to settle outstanding overtime payments.

Nurses who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were unaware of the allegations but confirmed they had started receiving overtime payments over the past month.

"Maybe it's other medical staff, but for us nurses, when we are required to do overtime, we do it because of staff shortages in every ward. We have been receiving our overtime payments for the past month," one nurse said.

Another nurse said: "I know our overtime has been paid, but as for the claims, I am not sure."

A third nurse said: "Excuses! I have never heard of any nurse abusing overtime."

Fiji Medical Association president Dr Ronal Kumar said he was unaware of any evidence supporting the allegations.

"I am not saying it is not happening, it's just that I am yet to see any statistics to say so."

Dr Kumar said requiring prior approval for overtime could create challenges in hospitals, where emergencies often require staff to remain on duty without notice.

"I am a bit worried because everything with the Ministry of Health is sort of based with the permanent secretary, so every approval that needs to be done will need to go through a long process unless there is a more streamlined process where the managers on the ground can approve it.

"We need to understand that health care is different, especially with nurses' shifts. To treat someone who is sick, we cannot wait for approval for a week or two."

He said overtime approvals for nurses should remain with hospital supervisors, while managers should be able to approve overtime for other frontline services to ensure patient care is not disrupted.

Questions have also been sent to the Fiji Nursing Association.