Remuneration packages for medical staff will be adjusted to foster retention – Dr Fong

Remuneration packages for medical staff will be adjusted to foster retention – Dr Fong

By Alipate Narawa
Monday 19/12/2022
Dr James Fong

Remuneration packages for medical staff will need to be adjusted to foster retention and this has started with Laboratory technicians being transitioned to laboratory scientists at a higher salary level, enrolled nurses being transitioned to nursing assistants at a higher salary level and raising the entry salary level for pharmacists.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong highlighted this regarding the ongoing exodus of medical staff in terms of their ongoing effort to rebuild better and stronger.

Dr Fong says it is part of a global phenomenon, and as such short-term and long-term mitigation measures are needed.

He says their immediate measure involves supporting the development of a support cadre of workers by re-looking at new programs that support lower-tier health cadres with shorter-duration training programs which at the same time provide alternative entry points to medical professions.

The Permanent Secretary says they are reviewing a program for nurse aides, and also exploring a theatre technician training program to support their efforts to support broader access to safe surgery and looking to recruit graduates from medical programs who can provide support roles to nurses and doctors.

He says they have also redesigned an easier and faster process of engaging volunteers through their volunteer support program to cater for those in urgent need of work experience.

The Ministry continues to review and employ strategies to improve the working environment of their workforce.

Dr Fong says a 12-hour roster system is being strategically implemented in some settings.

He says they are finalizing discussions to at least partially pay for pending leave to maintain health staff numbers.

The Permanent Secretary says they are also increasing the clerical officer cadre in large health centers and hospitals to reduce the administrative workload on the medical staff.

He says there are staff shortages that entail some health workers staying long hours at work however, they have redeployed more finance into the overtime and meal allowance allocation and using the time off in lieu condition to help to mitigate this.

Dr Fong says they have evolved a network of command centres that will optimise network communication to maintain surveillance on key issues and ensure that action plans are implemented well to mitigate those issues.

He says quality care improvement is an important cornerstone in all action plans.

A government-wide customer service initiative is also a key part of the command centre work plans.

This includes the engagement of General Practitioners, Private Dental Practitioners, Private Medical Laboratories, and Private Ambulance providers to support our services in a public-private partnership arrangement.

Budget submissions have been prepared and are being prepared to support human resource expansion and remuneration.

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...
8 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 ...
8 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 ...
8 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 ...
9 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 ...
10 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 ...
11 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 ...
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