Korovou X-ray service disruption highlights need for competitive pay, better workforce planning: FPSA

The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) has renewed its call for stronger workforce planning, better pay and faster recruitment after a vacancy left Korovou Hospital without X-ray services, forcing patients to travel elsewhere for essential diagnostic care.

In a statement yesterday, the association said the absence of an X-ray technician highlighted broader staffing shortages across the public health system despite Government's commitment to recruit more healthcare workers.

"Diagnostic imaging is essential for treating fractures, chest conditions, trauma injuries and other medical emergencies. Without X-ray services, patients must travel to other hospitals, often at their own expense, causing treatment delays that could worsen health outcomes," FPSA said.

The association said the shortage of specialised staff, including X-ray technicians, was placing additional pressure on frontline healthcare workers, increasing workloads and reducing the efficiency of health services.

FPSA welcomed the Government's commitment in the 2026-2027 National Budget to fill critical vacancies but said the situation at Korovou Hospital showed those commitments needed to be implemented urgently.

It reiterated its call for improved workforce planning, competitive remuneration, career development opportunities and faster recruitment to address staff shortages across the public service.

The association warned that similar disruptions would continue, particularly in rural and maritime health facilities, unless the underlying workforce issues were addressed.

FPSA said communities should not be disadvantaged because critical positions remained vacant or skilled professionals were leaving the public service.

"The people of Korovou and the surrounding communities deserve equitable access to quality healthcare regardless of where they live," it said.

"The continued absence of essential diagnostic services undermines public confidence in the health system and places unnecessary hardship on patients and their families."

The association urged the Government to prioritise filling critical vacancies and called on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to:

• Immediately deploy or recruit a qualified X-ray technician to restore services at Korovou Hospital.
• Fast-track the recruitment of essential health workers, particularly in specialised roles.
• Put interim arrangements in place so patients requiring urgent diagnostic imaging can access services without excessive cost or travel.
• Strengthen workforce planning to ensure specialist positions are adequately staffed across all public health facilities.
• Review retention measures, including remuneration, career progression, training opportunities and working conditions for allied health professionals.

FPSA said it remained committed to working with the Government to strengthen the public service and support healthcare workers in delivering quality healthcare to all Fijians.