Patients and Staff Struggle with Medical Supply Shortages

Fijian families are left without a choice but to buy basic medical supplies-including intravenous (IV) fluids-for loved ones in hospital.

This despite the Ministry of Health's repeated assurances that there is no national shortage.

The contradiction between official statements and the lived experiences of patients and medical staff has sparked outrage, with many calling on the Government to stop deflecting and address the problem with honesty and urgency.

Ms Archana Prasad described how her family had to buy IV fluids for her sister-in-law in the ICU amid a spike in dengue cases.

"She bought it herself, they used it, and there was no way to get a refund- even if it hadn't been used," Ms Prasad said.

At the Colonial War Memorial Children's Hospital in Suva, the International Women's Association (IWA) was compelled to step in, delivering much-needed saline to fill gaps left by the public system.

Association president Judy Compain said the crisis was ongoing.

“Patients are still being told to buy their own saline. This is deeply concerning,” Ms Compain said.

“There is a clear gap between what is being said publicly and what is happening in our hospitals.”

In Yasawa, the shortages are even more pronounced.

A nurse told this masthead they had requested IV fluids in January, but were still waiting.

“We are short on medical supplies. We have to preserve fluids and transfer patients to ASPEN Lautoka,” the nurse said.

“It’s time the Government reaches out and acts faster.”

Yet, in a statement issued last week, the MOH denied the existence of any stockout, stating: “There is no shortage of IV fluids.”

The ministry acknowledged global supply pressures, expecting to continue into 2025, but maintained that Fiji’s supplies were adequate.

Minister for Finance Biman Prasad said that 3000 units of saline arrived last week and another 4200 were awaiting clearance by the Fiji Procurement Office.

He said continuous orders had been placed to replenish stock.

However, frontline doctors and nurses report otherwise.

Fiji Medical Association president Dr Alipate Vakamocea confirmed that some hospitals were facing dangerously low stocks, with patients often having to buy fluids themselves from private pharmacies.

“When parents have to pay to keep their child hydrated in a hospital, something has clearly failed,” said Ms Compain.

Repeated questions sent to MOH remained unanswered at the time of publication.

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