Shortage of beds is a concern and building new medical infrastructure would cost $4.6 billion - Dr Munshi

More than 2000 beds are needed at our hospitals to cater for the growing population and constructing new medical infrastructures would cost around $4.6 billion.

This was highlighted by the President of the Fiji Medical Association (FMA), Dr Basharat Munshi, during the 63rd FMA Conference held at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa in Denarau, Nadi.

He says it is not cheap to build medical infrastructure and a number of challenges will continue to arise if the current resources do not meet the country’s demands.

He adds that one re-occurring problem is the theatre at the CWM Hospital.

The Association President says he understands solutions are in place, but they are not able to do elective cases because of this.

Dr Munshi says they only have enough space to do emergency cases.

According to the statistics provided by Dr Munshi, the CWM Hospital has 550 beds, Lautoka Aspen Hospital has 305 beds, and the Labasa Hospital has 180 beds.

Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu says it is no secret that the health sector, in particular, the public health sector has faced many significant challenges in the areas of infrastructure, human resources, quality health service, and health financing in the last few years.

He says since the coalition government came into power some one and a half years ago, the government has been very clear and very deliberate in its policy priorities to address these challenges head-on through collaboration, innovation and decisive actions to improve and enhance healthcare service in the country.

Dr Lalabalavu says the public health sector carries the heaviest health service burden in Fiji and works collaboratively with the private health sector to deliver health service that contributes to improving the health and well-being of every Fijian.