Fiji boosts health sector funding to $647 million

Fiji's health sector is set to receive a substantial boost with an allocation of $647 million in the 2026/2027 National Budget. This increased funding aims to tackle critical priorities such as the HIV response, enhance staff welfare, ensure medicine supply, and upgrade healthcare infrastructure across the nation.

The Ministry of Health will receive $477 million, earmarked for salaries, medicines, medical supplies, and biomedical equipment. Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu welcomed the increased funding, stating that most of the ministry's key priorities have been accommodated. He highlighted that the allocation for nurses' overtime and allowances will help mitigate challenges faced in the previous financial year.

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In the last financial year, we were facing challenges, especially with overtime. For this financial year, with allocations in Segments One and Two being accommodated, we should lessen the challenges in terms of remuneration, overtime, and other expenditures.

"In the last financial year, we were facing challenges, especially with overtime. For this financial year, with allocations in Segments One and Two being accommodated, we should lessen the challenges in terms of remuneration, overtime, and other expenditures," Dr. Lalabalavu said. The ministry is also focusing on improving staff accommodation, electricity, water services, and connectivity in remote areas. "We are not only sending them to areas of work, but also ensuring the places where they live are workable and livable," he added.

Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel affirmed that the health budget will support major investments in hospital infrastructure and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.

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We are not only sending them to areas of work, but also ensuring the places where they live are workable and livable.