Nurses raise challenges at AGM

The Fiji Nursing Association is calling on Government, leaders, and planners to shift their perspectives from a reductionist approach.

This is in light of several concerns raised by the association members on the remuneration and challenges faced by nurses in Fiji.

Association president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola spoke of the challenges and faced by nurses in Fiji and the way forward during their 65th annual general meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

“The Fiji Nursing Association requires our leaders and planners to shift their perspectives from that of a reductionist approach which overlooks the substantial and often underemphasized Economic value that we nurses contribute to health services and to our society as a whole,” Dr Vudiniabola said.

“Like many other countries around the world, budgetary cuts in health have always affected nursing care and nursing services.

“Governments find it easy to cut nurses’ allowance such as overtimes, risks etc during financial difficulties, while also expecting nurses to continue to provide nursing services after hours- foc.”

Minister for Health Dr Antonio Lalabavu said the improving the health workforce needs is one of the priorities of the coalition Government.

For the health workforce, he said it is no secret that the high attrition rates for health care workers from the Ministry in the last 24 months has impacted its ability to deliver the health services.

“The Ministry will continue to undertake active recruitment to improve workforce strength at the Ministry.

Minister for Health Dr Antonio Lalabavu. PHOTO: Laiseana Nasiga

“Follow the implementation of the salary adjustments and remuneration incentives approved by Parliament on the national budget this year, the Ministry has noted a decrease in the attrition rate for nurses in November and December 2023,” Dr Lalabavu said.

“We are hopeful that this trend will continue.”

Feedback: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj