Maharaj: Don’t celebrate while health system crumbles

Opposition Member of Parliament Alvick Maharaj has accused the Government of celebrating disease elimination while the healthcare system crumbles around everyday Fijians.

Mr Maharaj made the statement in Parliament today in response to Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu’s announcement that Fiji had received World Health Organization (WHO) recognition for eliminating measles, rubella, and trachoma as public health problems.

“While the Minister celebrates disease elimination, our everyday citizens are suffering from the collapse of the very system meant to protect them,” Mr Maharaj said.

He claimed infrastructure was deteriorating, with reports highlighting tumble-down clinics with falling tiles and crumbling doctors’ quarters.

“How can Government claim victory when the basic physical environment for delivering care is falling apart?” he questioned.

Mr Maharaj also raised concerns about the exodus of medical professionals and poor human resource management, noting newly graduated nurses wait up to six months for employment while established staff are overworked.

He said public health nurses are burdened with walking from house to house across vast areas without access to vehicles, and called for better compensation and improved working conditions.

However, Minister for Public Works Ro Filipe Tuisawau raised a point of order, arguing Mr Maharaj was not confining his observations to the subject under consideration.

“Do you understand the difference between germs and a building? These are two different subjects,” Ro Filipe said.

Speaker Filimone Jitoko ruled that members must confine observations to issues raised in ministerial statements.

Despite the ruling, Mr Maharaj continued, arguing healthcare systems don't operate in isolation and patients suffering from diseases need conducive environments for treatment.

He called for a concrete, time-bound plan to rebuild hospital infrastructure and implement retention strategies for nurses and doctors.

The Opposition joined Government in congratulating healthcare workers and international partners for the WHO achievement.

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