The Fiji Medical Association is calling for urgent improvements to the safety of healthcare workers serving in remote and maritime areas following the rescue of a team of missing medical professionals.

Acting FMA President Dr Ronal Kumar said the association was relieved that all members of the medical team were rescued safely, describing the incident as a wake-up call that exposed longstanding safety concerns faced by frontline health workers.

Dr Kumar said while the successful rescue was a huge relief, the incident highlighted a recurring problem that has caused concern among healthcare professionals for years.

“For us, this is not the first time something like this has happened. It has become a trend, and at some point it needs to stop,” he said.

He thanked everyone involved in the rescue operation, saying the safe return of the medical team was something the entire medical community was grateful for.

Dr Kumar said healthcare workers serving in Fiji’s maritime and remote communities often face significant risks while trying to reach patients and deliver essential medical services.

He said the incident would likely increase apprehension among doctors and nurses being posted to outer islands.
“This is one of the factors that makes people concerned about accepting postings to remote areas.”

The Acting FMA President said the issue extended beyond maritime transport, noting healthcare workers on the mainland also faced unsafe conditions while travelling in ambulances and other vehicles to reach patients.

Dr Kumar also acknowledged the role of Goundar Shipping and those involved in the rescue operation, thanking them for helping bring the medical team to safety.

He stressed that healthcare workers serving in Fiji’s most difficult locations must be adequately protected.

“This cannot happen at the expense of patients’ lives, and it cannot happen at the expense of our healthcare workers’ safety.

We must put measures in place to ensure this never happens again.”