Reassignment creates more positions
May 8, 2008, 16:52

The Minister for Health, Women and Social Welfare, Dr Jiko has highlighted that the decision on the re-assignment of key management positions at the divisional level implemented this year has led to the creation of management positions.

While speaking at the Senior Management Committee (SMC) Dr Luveni said the re-assignment led to the creation of positions in urgent and key areas of health services such as Pharmacy, Biomedical Supplies, Planning, Information and Infrastructure.

She said Government’s decision on the 10% reduction of the workforce and operational budget became linked and complimentary to the re-organisation of our management structure.

However, Dr Luveni said the process of reforming management structure is yet to be completed as the divisional structure along with that of the Fiji School of Nursing are still to be finalized by the Public Service Commission.

“I urge you managers to work with the Permanent Secretary and PSC in meeting our targets.”

She said for the Department of Health, staffing remained comparatively favorable at the present time and on an average there are around 50 vacancies for medical officers during the year.

“Currently, there are only 28 vacancies on record and the Ministry, following a recent Cabinet Decision, will be conducting a recruitment drive in India for certain senior vacant positions,” Dr Luveni highlighted.

With regards to nurses, she said currently there is vacancy for 13 nurses and following the recent graduation of nurses from the Sangam School of Nursing last week, the health system will have it full compliment of its approved staff number by as early as next week.

However, Dr Luveni said as for the Dentists and Paramedical cadres, supply to the workforce is more than adequate against the approved staff establishment.

“Indeed, there is a need for the Central Agencies of Government to consider increasing our establishment number for these areas of work, as there is definite need for service expansion and provision,” she added.




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(No.0688)