Health, infrastructure and education questions raised during budget consultation

Health, infrastructure and education issues were discussed during the budget consultations held at the Rishikul Sanatan College Hall.

Members attending the consultation also raised questions about the state of hospitals, the inefficient supply of medicines and poor infrastructure such as roads.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says the Government is doing the best it can to upgrade the ailing healthcare system.

He says a sufficient budget has been allocated to the Health Ministry and several projects with international partners, such as the Australian and Indian governments, to boost the state of hospitals.

When questioned about the low crowd turnout, Prof Prasad said it was not about getting the whole community but allowing those who may want to make submissions.

He says they don’t want to do what used to be done in the past.

The Finance Minister says consultations this week also targeted different groups and sectors such as the financial and manufacturing sectors, transport, media and communications.

He adds it’s not about getting thousands of people for budget consultation because it makes no sense.

Professor Prasad says the national budget consultations were more focused and aligned to different sectors and groupings.

The budget consultation will continue on the 22nd of this month at Korovuto College in Nadi from 6pm to 8pm, then they will move to the Girmit Centre in Lautoka on the 23rd from 6pm to 8pm.

The consultation team will be at Yaroi Village Hall, Savusavu, on the 25th from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and the Dreketi Central College Hall from 4pm to 6.30pm.

The team will then travel to Labasa on the 26th to hold the consultation at the Seaqaqa Sanatan Hall from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.