Prof. Biman Prasad appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan

This government inherited one of the most dilapidated states of health infrastructure in the country's history.

This has been highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad when he was asked by Vijay Narayan during fijivillage Straight Talk about the deteriorating health facilities and the shortage of medicines.

Professor Prasad says the introduction of a new system known as M-Supply will put an end to the medicine shortage issues.

He says when a politician recently claimed there was a shortage of medicine at Tavua Hospital, he contacted the SDMO there and was informed that this was not the case.

The Deputy Prime Minister says 27 projects will be carried out by the Australian government, one of which is the refurbishment of CWM Hospital.

He adds construction of the Indian 100-bed super-specialty hospital will begin soon, and they hope it will be completed within 18 months to two years.

The government will implement strict policies in the next budget, as they cannot allow people to suffer while continuing to protect industries that fail to improve efficiency and increase production to keep prices at a reasonable level.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, issued this clear warning while responding to questions on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan about the cost of living and unscrupulous businesses that enjoy heavy government protection but do not pass on the benefits to the people of Fiji.

Professor Prasad says if a high duty is charged, they expect those industries that are protected to raise production in the country.

He says that for example, the government is giving 42 percent duty protection to chicken producers and they want to support them to grow the industry.

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The Deputy Prime Minister says they expect them to produce all the chicken that the country needs.

He says it is unacceptable that they are not investing in factories and farms, increasing chicken production, and meeting demand, while instead using the shortage to raise prices—especially when the government cannot allow others to import due to quantitative restrictions.

You can watch the full Straight Talk interview on our website or listen to it on our Spotify channel - fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan.