Give Me A Chance: Minister Dr Atonio
Please note that solutions to nursing problems cannot be addressed overnight, bear with me and give me a chance.
This was the plea made by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Atonio Lalabalavu, while addressing members of the Fiji Nursing Association on Saturday.
“I understand there are challenges and problems you all have been facing in the past. It continues today and the ball is in my court to find solutions to them as nurses are the backbone of any health sector and your role is crucial to all aspects of health services,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“A lot has happened and I also know a lot of issues have been highlighted in the media in the past few weeks. Issues such as the mass resignation of more than 800 nurses last year for greener pastures abroad and locally and staff shortage,” he said.
“Finding solutions to these problems and challenges cannot happen overnight and just as I have gone past my 100 days in Parliament as minister, I urge you all to bear with me and give me a chance, whether it takes 100 days more or two to three years. Please weather the storms with me.”
He said Government had set the wheel in motion by amending the retirement age from 55 to 60.
This, he said, would provide immediate access to more knowledgeable and highly skilled and experienced healthcare professionals who would have been lost immediately upon attainment of the retirement age of 55.
“Let me assure you that the ministry will prioritise improving and maintaining our 220 health facilities. “We will place greater emphasis on providing these facilities with better access to water, sanitation and hygiene, power, and internet connectivity wherever possible, in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.”