Health Minister clarifies taxpayer funds is not being used for Dr. Fong’s farewell

Health Minister clarifies taxpayer funds is not being used for Dr. Fong’s farewell

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

Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu has clarified that taxpayer’s money is not being used for former Permanent Secretary of Health Dr James Fong’s farewell party.

In a Facebook post Judy Compain had alleged that taxpayers money was being used to farewell Dr. Fong in the Northern Division where the Health 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.

Dr Atonio is also questioning where did International Women’s Association President Judy Compain get her information from.


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
$304.4M in concessional loans and grants secured for four bridges
$304.4 million in funding has been secured in concessional loans and grants for four bridges that have been identified under the Fiji - Critical Bridg...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Kalesi Volatabu selected as one of 17 Indigenous changemakers for the 2025 Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program
Drug Free World Fiji founder, Kalesi Volatabu has been selected as one of 17 Indigenous and Pacific changemakers for the 2025 cohort which is part of ...
19 minutes ago

Disconnection between the Vanua, businesses and the provincial councils – GCC Chair
There is a missing link between businesses and the provincial councils, and today, the Great Council of Chiefs will discuss those missing links and ...
42 minutes ago

Two passengers still admitted with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital
Two passengers remain hospitalized with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital after a Goundar Shipping bus collided with a 4x4 vehicle at Vitogo, ...
2 hours ago

Bail denied for alleged wife killer Apisai Madigibuli
27-year-old Apisai Madigibuli's bail has been denied in the matter where he is alleged to have murdered his 25-year-old wife in April this ...
2 hours ago

Issuance of official passports to be amended
Cabinet has agreed to amend the issuance of official passports for senior categories of officials for official purposes and for the duration of their ...
2 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 ...
6 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 ...
6 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 ...
7 days ago

TOP