Compain calls out Health Minister’s farewell party plans for outgoing PS as a waste of taxpayers money

Compain calls out Health Minister’s farewell party plans for outgoing PS as a waste of taxpayers money

By Alipate Narawa
Friday 29/12/2023
Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu

The decision by the Minister for Health to commemorate the departure of the retiring Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong, by having a big farewell party for him on 26th January in Labasa, at the Ministry’s cost, is frankly outrageous. International Womens Association (Fiji) President, Judy Compain has highlighted this in a facebook post where she has also tagged Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad.

Compain says at a time when hospitals in Fiji are desperately in need of financial resources to address failed and demised infrastructure and to provide better medical and support services to the people of Fiji, the Health Minister’s irresponsible decision is a slap in the face of Fiji citizens who are demanding better health services. She says the Minister allegedly sent a written directive for each unit, to send staff, and that all airfares and accommodation are to be paid for from the health budget.

The IWF President says the use of Fiji taxpayers’ money to conduct a big party in the North, coincidentally in the Minister’s home province, will be viewed by many as a blatant misuse of our already beleaguered national health budget. She says to be frank, the Minister for Health should know better.

Compain says she cannot believe that the outgoing Dr Fong who is a good man and who she has had a great working relationship with, would approve of this act by the Minister.

She says she is calling on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad to stop this event from happening and to use taxpayers' money wisely to build better medical infrastructure, and to clean up and resource the hospitals of Fiji.

The IWF President says if the Minister wants to thank Dr Fong, a wiser and more prudent use of resources is to host a small party in Suva, at the Minister’s private expense or have staff pay for themselves, and have those outside Suva attend by Zoom to say a few words.

She asks could this farewell not have been done during the 100 year celebrations held last week when most medical staff were in attendance.

Compain adds the government needs to curb its expenditure on unnecessary things.

We are currently trying to speak to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance.

FEATURE NEWS
Anyone found engaging in drug-related activities will not be allowed to live in the province – Tui Namosi
The Turaga na Tui Namosi, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, has issued a stern warning to anyone from his province thinking of engaging in drug-related activi...
14 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Yaqona sessions and kava barrels are breaking families in Fiji – Akauola
People who are knocking off from work and going directly to the yaqona session is a concern because it is breaking families, the government has to ...
14 hours ago

MOH always out of stock as they have to get 3 quotes for all medicine when they run out – Dr Vakamocea
The process that Government and the Ministry of Health are using when it comes to the Fiji Procurement Office and the Ministry of Finance is that ...
14 hours ago

If no change to the Mining Act, I won’t allow any mining in Namosi – Ratu Suliano
The Turaga na Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua has made a strong and bold statement that they will only talk about investments in mining in their ...
15 hours ago

Shona Amputch selected for specialist training in India to advance children’s healthcare in Fiji
Shona Amputch is happy to be one of the five nurses at Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital selected to participate in a free specialist medical ...
16 hours ago

PRF launches Christmas Gift and Stationary Drive to bring joy to children of recycling workers
The children of Collection Pillars of Recycling have a little something to look forward to this holiday season as Pacific Recycling Foundation has ...
17 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
7 days ago

Continuous Radiology and Pharmacy services are now expected at Government Hospitals
Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals ...
7 days ago

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere declines Presidential nomination after an internal audit and investigation report
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term ...
8 days ago

TOP