INTRODUCTION:

Ministry of Health embarks on a Strategic Plan to provide a Career to young professionals and paraprofessionals in Fiji.

The orientation will enable younger practitioners to identify a career pathway with progressive landmarks, measurable achievements with a 5 and 10 year plan in their areas of professional interest.  Within the system multiple entry and exit will exist, with a 8-10 year period to achieve consultancy status.

THE STRATEGY:

1.       Areas of Need (Psychiatry/Pathology/Radiology/O+G)

Areas of clinical practice which a devoid of adequate staff have been notified. Young graduates at internship exist interview should make their areas of interest known to the medical superintendent at base hospitals.  This will be recorded on the HRIS with HQ.

Having completed one year of rural service the candidates may opt to change career path by choice.  Those who aim to continue will return and work for one year as trainee registrars.  Their commitment, standards and professional character will be assessed.  In the 2^nd year they will be allowed to progress into a poor graduate diploma program whilst continuing clinical work.

The candidate will proceed if successful into the Masters program for a further two years.  Effectively at the end of the 6^th year post internship they will have become holders of a Masters degree.  Within the next three years they will proceed to consultancy within their chosen discipline.

2.       Public Health/Primary care

A similar program will be carried after a years work in rural medicine.  DFL can be offered in due second year along with Field Epidemiology, Health Management, Public Health, Health Promotion etc.

The 3^rd year will be based at Subdivisional Hospitals with entry to the PG diploma in public health/primary care for two years.

Thereafter a Masters program offered over two years with a clear career line into a consultancy in the 7-9^th year per internship.

3.       Clinical Disciplines (Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Anaesthesia and Paediatrics)

These candidates also undertake one year of rural medicine.

In the second year the option of DFL is on offer from their rural posting.  In the third year those practitioners are attached as Registrars in their discipline of choice.  Two year programs of PG diploma followed by Masters Program will be offered.

Effectively 7-9 years later they will have the offer of consultancy, as and when positions become vacant.

THE STRATEGIC INTENT:

A career orientation with a multiple entry and exit strategy to enhance productivity, professional challenges and a clear career path.  This will also serve the purposes of nurturing professionals and enhance professional retension within the Fiji Health Services.

Dr Neil Sharma

MINISTER FOR HEALTH