Ministry considers compensation for six health workers rescued in Lau
FMA calls for stronger protection and support for medical teams travelling to remote and maritime communities.
Tuesday 11 August 2026 | 15:00
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during his visit to six medical professionals at Twomey Hospital in Tamavua.
Photo: Office of the Prime Minister
The Ministry of Health is considering compensation for the six medical professionals who were rescued after spending hours at sea in the Lau Group.
Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu’s comments follow a call by the Fiji Medical Association (FMA) for stronger compensation measures and improved support for health workers travelling to remote and maritime communities.
The six medical professionals had travelled to the Lau islands to provide outreach medical services before their return journey was disrupted, triggering a search and rescue operation.
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They were later found alive and rescued after spending hours at sea.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety and welfare of health workers who regularly travel by sea to provide essential medical services to remote island communities.
Acting FMA president Dr Ronal Kumar said the incident highlighted the risks faced by medical professionals working in difficult and isolated locations.
“We have previously assessed how doctors, the government and healthcare workers should be supported and looked after. This is not only a maritime issue; it is an issue affecting the entire country,” Dr Kumar said.
He said doctors, nurses and other health workers continued to serve communities despite the challenges associated with working in remote areas.
Dr Kumar said the Lau incident should not be treated as an isolated case.
“This was not an isolated incident. It is something that can happen again,” he said.
The FMA is calling for stronger systems to protect healthcare workers, including better support and compensation arrangements when they are exposed to risks while carrying out official duties.
The incident has also highlighted the challenges faced by Fiji’s health system in delivering services to maritime communities, where health workers often depend on boats to reach patients and return to the mainland.
For many island communities, outreach teams provide an important link to medical services that may otherwise be difficult to access.
Dr Lalabalavu’s consideration of compensation could open discussions on how health workers undertaking such assignments are protected and supported when unexpected incidents occur.
The FMA maintains that lessons must be learned from the Lau incident to help prevent a similar situation from happening again.
