Hiring freeze exemption for doctors

Fiji's Ministry of Health is set to proceed with the recruitment of newly qualified medical interns as Medical Officers, thanks to a crucial exemption from a temporary public service hiring freeze. This decision alleviates months of uncertainty for interns who have completed their training and obtained general registration with the Fiji Medical Council, paving the way for their transition into the medical workforce.

The exemption was officially approved by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. It allows the Ministry of Health to move forward with hiring despite Ministry of Civil Service Circular No. 6/2026, which had previously paused all new appointments across the public sector as part of austerity measures linked to the global fuel crisis. This move underscores the government's acknowledgment of the urgent need to bolster Fiji's healthcare system.

Assistant Minister for Health, Penioni Ravunawa, highlighted that the exemption reflects the government's recognition of the rising demand for medical services and the critical need to strengthen the healthcare workforce. The Ministry will now initiate the recruitment and selection process for Medical Officers, adhering to established procedures within the OMRS system. Ravunawa extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Civil Service, the Public Service Commission, the Fiji Medical Council, senior clinicians, and HR teams for their support in facilitating this process.

The Ministry anticipates that the entire recruitment and appointment process for these medical interns will be concluded by August 2026. This development is expected to bring much-needed relief and clarity to the interns and contribute to strengthening the capacity of Fiji's healthcare services.

“

The move reflects the Government’s recognition of the urgent need to strengthen Fiji’s healthcare workforce to meet rising demand for medical services.