Fijians are entitled to better health care - Usamate

“I wish she was here to see the son of a house girl who has now become a member of parliament and Minister in this government.”

These were the words of Health and Medical Services Minister, Jone Usamate while delivering his maiden speech in Parliament today.

He also gave thanks to his late mother who raised him as a single mother for the early part of his life.

Usamate said his mother passed away just as the 2014 election campaign started.

Usamate then said that in Fiji we cannot expect to have the same standard of advanced health care like some of our bigger neighbors.

But, Usamate then said that the Fijian people are entitled to expect a level of adequate care and basic facilities just as importantly they are entitled to expect the proper level of service from adequately trained medical personnel and attitude of care and concern at what is sometimes one of the most stressful times in their lives.

He said they have hired hundreds of new doctors and nurses in the last eight years.

Usamate told Parliament that he intends to work with his Assistant Minister in the first few weeks to identify areas in the system that need priority and attention and begin the task to rectify any shortcomings.

He said in spite of a huge investment in the last eight years, Fiji still lacks the number of nurses and doctors and special staff to deliver a proper level of service.

Usamate also revealed that a whole range of new initiatives will be announced for the Health sector in the 2015 National budget.