Doctor warns costly health projects could fail

Fiji's significant investments in healthcare infrastructure are at risk of failing if not supported by essential personnel and ongoing operational funding, according to Dr. Ahmed Shakeel Shariff, Treasurer of the Fiji Medical Association. He stressed that simply constructing new facilities or acquiring state-of-the-art medical equipment is insufficient to bolster the nation's healthcare system.

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Fiji must ensure new hospitals and medical equipment deliver proper patient care rather than becoming costly assets that cannot be fully used.

Speaking at a Post-Budget Forum in Nadi, Dr. Shariff highlighted the critical need for comprehensive planning. He asserted that every major health project must include provisions for specialist doctors, nurses, consistent maintenance funding, necessary medical supplies, and the robust systems required for complete patient care. Without these elements, expensive equipment could become idle, representing a substantial waste of public funds.

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He warned that without proper planning, expensive equipment could remain idle despite significant public investment.

Dr. Shariff used cancer treatment as an example, explaining that effective care involves more than just a radiotherapy machine. It requires accurate diagnosis, disease staging, appropriate treatment selection, and continuous patient monitoring throughout recovery, all supported by a skilled workforce and integrated clinical systems. He urged that future health investments should prioritize improving service accessibility, reducing patient wait times, and ultimately delivering better health outcomes.

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Using cancer treatment as an example, Dr. Shariff said effective care involves accurate diagnosis, staging the disease, selecting the right treatment and monitoring patients throughout their recovery.

The success of these investments, Dr. Shariff concluded, should be evaluated based on the quality of care delivered and the positive impact on patients' lives, rather than the physical size of buildings or the monetary value of equipment. Ensuring long-term operational funding is crucial to maintain functionality after the initial construction phase.

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He said the success of health investments should be measured by the quality of care provided and the number of lives improved, not by the size of the buildings or the cost of the equipment.