Matching nurse salary ‘unrealistic’
Parliament that 807 nurses resigned last year alone.
There are more than 3000 nursing positions across the country.
“It is an issue that requires a multifactorial and a multisectoral approach,” he said.
Dr Fong said they were looking at re-engaging a large number of nurses.
Union
Fiji Nursing Association president, Dr Alisi Vudiniabola, said about 30 nurses had resigned recently.
From this, 14 nurses were from the CWM Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), eight nurses from the Operating Theatre (OT), three nurses from the Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit and two nurses from the Eye Department (ED).
Dr Vudiniabola said many other nurses who left were from the emergency and acute award.
“As an association, we have already asked Government to look after the nurses,” she said.
“And looking after them means remunerating them, paying them what is due and so forth.” In response, Dr Fong said there was a budget submission process going on that would mitigate much of the issues.
“It is not just an issue in Fiji. Most health authorities around the world are struggling with it – the migration of nurses,” he said.
“The nurses had presented to me on Friday that the plan they got does makes sense and we will submit that to the Ministry of Economy for budget submission,” he said.
Call for removal
Dr Vudiniabola has called on Dr Fong and the director of human resources, Joe Fuata, to step down from their roles.
She claimed some nurses did not leave for greener pastures, they left because of bad leadership, especially by the duo. “Leaders who do not recognise their talents, they do not acknowledge what they contribute,” she said.
“Even if we improve their working conditions, many of these nurses leave because of bad leadership.” When quizzed about the nurse to patient ratio, Dr Vudiniabola said: “I know it has not improved since last year.”
In response, Dr Fong said he was focused on finding solutions to the nurse migration.
“I appreciate the sentiments of the nursing association,” he said. “I think what she wants is for us to hurry up but I can’t do that.”