Doctors want freedom to speak on health issues

Doctors are calling for constitutional protection of their right to inform the public about challenges within the health system, warning that current restrictions risk undermining transparency and patient safety.

In a submission to the Constitution Review Commission (CRC), the Fiji Medical Association (FMA) argued that medical professionals must be able to speak openly and responsibly on issues affecting healthcare without prior approval from authorities.

FMA executive member Alipate Vakamocea said yesterday existing practices often require doctors to seek permission from senior officials, including the Ministry of Health, before addressing public concerns.

“We already have a responsibility under our professional mandate to educate the public and raise awareness on health issues,” Mr Vakamocea said.

“But at the moment, many doctors feel inhibited.”

The association says this restriction creates a conflict of interest, particularly when the issues doctors want to highlight involve systemic failures or operational challenges within the health system itself.

At the center of the concern is the ability of doctors to speak about conditions in hospitals, staffing shortages, and risks to patient care.

According to FMA, limiting such communication can delay public awareness and prevent timely responses to critical issues. “This is responsible advocacy,” he said.

“Doctors are on the frontlines we see the realities every day. If we cannot speak about them, then the system loses critical source of information.”

The FMA is now proposing that the Constitution explicitly guarantee the right of healthcare professionals to communicate publicly on matters of health, provided their statements are responsible and aligned with professional standards.

Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj