The number of General Practitioners who are assisting doctors during peak hours in hospitals under the locum arrangements has increased.
The arrangement is to assist the major issue of doctor shortage the country is currently facing.
As part of the Ministry of Health’s effort to improve hospital services, a total of 39 locum doctors appointments have been made to date.
This consists of 29 General Practitioners and 10 Specialists locum appointments.
The Ministry in partnership with the Fiji College of General Practitioners (FCGP) has embarked on the locum appointments to maximise efficiency in health services through reducing the patient waiting time.
Based on the current arrangements, the General Practitioners are paid a rate of $50 while specialists are paid $80.
These doctors are providing assistance at the CWM Hospital, Tamavua Twomey Hospital, St. Giles, Lautoka Hospital, Labasa Hospital, Central Health Services, Makoi Health Center, Samabula Health Centre, Lami Health Center, Raiwaqa Health Centre and the Valelevu Health Center.
The positive impacts of the locum appointments reduces the workload of the doctors in hospitals and also gives them more time to focus on patient care, reducing the waiting time for patients.