Consumer Council of Fiji appeals to Government to develop a National Health Scheme

The Consumer Council of Fiji has appealed to Government to develop a National Health Scheme to ease the pressure on the public health systems and provide quality health care to all Fijians.

Council CEO, Premila Kumar says a National Health Scheme and Insurance is important to the Fijian health care system to help take the pressure off public hospitals and allow the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to provide specialised services. 

As part of the 2018‑2019 National Budget submission, the Council has requested to Government to develop or adapt a Health Care Scheme that will provide an affordable insurance scheme for FNPF members even after they retire. 

Kumar says the Council notes that the public health system, especially public hospitals are currently under enormous pressure to deal not only with non‑life‑threatening and basic ailments but also serious health issues where treatments are not available locally. 

The Consumer Council says many Fijians cannot travel abroad for specialist treatment and it is crucial to develop specialised treatment locally.

Kumar says local specialist care will assist in early detection and treatment, and consequently better outcomes and higher life expectancy for Fijians that suffer from serious or life‑threatening ailments and injuries. 

She says the Council notes that the Health Care Scheme/Insurance needs to take it’s cue from the Special Death Benefit Scheme of the Fiji National Provident Fund operating as a small scale insurance scheme for members when they die.

Kumar says sadly, the members are contributing to an insurance cover for their death, but not for their life. 

The Consumer Council CEO says the National Health Scheme can be supported by contributions from employees, employers and the Government.

The contribution can be based on the pay structure and be kept by FNPF for mandatory health care based on the Singapore model.

Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will deliver the 2018/2019 National Budget in parliament from 7.30pm tonight.

Stay with us to find out how the budget will affect your pockets and the government’s ministerial allocations to provide services to the public.

We will have all the details on which taxes and duties go up or down and how it will affect you.