Fiji struggles to retain skilled nurses

Fiji faces a critical shortage of experienced nurses as more healthcare professionals depart than the country can train and retain. Dr. Alipate Vakamocea, former President of the Fiji Medical Association, highlighted the alarming trend, stating that while Fiji produces around 300 to 400 nursing graduates annually, approximately 600 to 700 experienced nurses leave the country.

This significant attrition rate, primarily driven by migration to Australia and New Zealand, is widening the gap in frontline healthcare delivery. Dr. Vakamocea stressed that simply increasing training numbers will not solve the problem. The core challenge lies in retaining skilled nurses within the system, a complex issue that requires more than just educational initiatives.

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They’d probably produce something like three or four hundred graduates a year, but the attrition for nurses leaving the country is something like six, seven hundred. So no amount of training and bringing in new nurses is going to fix that void.

In response, Health Minister Atonio Lalabalavu indicated that the Ministry is actively working to manage staffing pressures. One strategy involves allowing medical interns to transition into medical officer roles, thereby creating openings for new interns. This measure aims to improve workforce flow and ensure a continuous intake of new medical graduates.

However, health experts remain concerned that these internal adjustments are insufficient. They argue that without addressing the fundamental issue of nurse retention and the ongoing overseas migration, Fiji's healthcare system will continue to struggle with persistent workforce challenges. The exodus of experienced professionals poses a long-term threat to the sustainability of healthcare services in the nation.

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Mainly because of the internship that are transitioning to medical officers. They need to move out because no make space for more new internships that will be coming in. So that is why we have asked for that exception.