FIJI is set to experience a massive brain drain with some 200 doctors leaving
the
country.
Fiji Medical Association President Dr Sachida Mudaliar said this includes both
private and government doctors.
Though the situation is regretable, Dr Mudaliar said the mass migration has
come
about as the result of continuous discrimination.
"It is obvious that the current situation is showing no signs of improvement
and
they are just sick of being discriminated against so they have no choice but
to
leave," he said.
Dr Mudaliar said it is only human to look for greener pastures as everyone
has had
enough of the political crisis.
"I just spoke to a doctor who has been continuously harrassed and is a
civil servant
so you can imagine what it is like," he said.
Dr Mudaliar said the migrating doctors will not be at a loss because no one
can take
their education away from them nor their brains.
"They are educated enough, it is very sad that Fiji has come to this stage,"
he said.
Director of Hospital Services, Dr Nacanieli Goneyali said he was aware of the
exodus of doctors.
"At the moment we have 48 vacancies which are yet to be filled ,"
he said.
Dr Goneyali said the positions will be advertised locally and abroad.
"The reservoir should be filled by next month," he said.
Figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show that for the first three
months of this year, a total of 1,425 Fiji citizens have
emigrated - 614 in January, 417 in February and 394 in March in May another
519 left the country.
The bureau is yet to work out the rest of the statistics for the remaining
months.
Permanent Secretary of Immigration, Apisalome Tudreu said the many of those
emigrating are professionals, skilled and
technical workers.
Mr Tudreu said the department had also received a drop in workpermit applications
as investors are not coming.
Acting Colonial War Memorial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Ganeshwar
Rao said he was aware of the situation but
could not comment.
Fiji's Daily Post
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