FIJI MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
FIJI MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Monday 3rd
August, 2020
Dear Members
Bula Vinaka,
Namaste, Assalamo-alaikum and Noa’ia e mau’ri. We congratulate the Government
of Fiji for passing a resilient budget that will allow us to navigate these
tough economic times. I believe all the Doctors in the Civil Service
collectively breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that there would
be no pay-cuts. We extend our gratitude to Honorable Minister for Health and
his team for ensuring that all Civil Service Doctors interests are looked after
as are those in the Private sector. COVID-19 has affected the whole economy and
certainly Private Practitioners and Private Hospitals are no exception. We all
agree that a robust and dynamic private sector is crucial in the overall health
delivery to a nation. A resilient Private sector is essential to complement and
take the load off the busy Public Hospitals and Health Centers. We look forward
to visionary leadership and policies that will enable all Doctors in Fiji to
survive through these economic hardships.
The Suva
Mini-conference on the 25th of July, 2020 was an overwhelming
success. It was certainly a moment of catharsis for all the participants who attended
and everyone was captivated by the robust debate that started off the whole
program. The whole aim of the debate focusing on Fiji’s response to COVID-19
was to take stock of what we did well and identify areas in which we can
improve. This aim was certainly achieved in the format of a debate and
certainly some issues that may not have been apparent were teased out. Moving
forward, the recommendations and resolutions that came from the debate will be
essential in our ongoing battle against COVID-19. The second session focused on
“Professional responsibility in Social Media” and this session was very well
received as participants not only heard from 2 Lawyers and PS Health, but they
had the opportunity to engage in discussions afterwards. Doubts and queries
were addressed and we were all wiser in terms of how to be social media savvy.
The final session which dealt with clinical material from well-respected
clinicians, was also on-point and well received and appreciated. We hope to
continue with these broad themes in our West Mini-Conference which will be held
at the prestigious Radisson Blue Resort in Denarau on 29/08/2020. Spaces are
limited so I encourage you all to register early to avoid disappointment. Our
final mini-conference in the North will be held on 03/10/2020 and we will be
revealing venue details closer to the date.
Fiji, as a
nation has done an outstanding job in curtailing COVID-19. Despite this, we had
our first mortality and this should serve as a reminder to us all regarding the
seriousness of this illness. One battle won does not equate to the war being
over and we have to maintain our vigilance and, as Doctors, continue to provide
exemplary leadership so that we have the minimal number of cases and
mortalities possible. It is a testimony to excellence in leadership and
decision making and certainly to our people embracing the messages of
hand-hygiene and social distancing that we have not had any community spread to
date. Let us fight to keep it this way.
Vinaka vakalevu,
Khuda Hafiz, Daniyabaad and Fa’eksia
Dr Basharat Munshi
President
Fiji
Medical Association