31 Aug 2010

Fiji Health Ministry to raise millions through higher charges

3:17 pm on 31 August 2010

The Ministry of Health in Fiji expects to earn an extra five million US dollars a year through higher charges for some services.

The new service fees come into effect at the end of September.

The head of the Ministry, Dr Neil Sharma, says the money raised would be used to improve services.

He has told the Fiji Times that the hospital had been underselling itself and that it's improved the services and would be charging more.

Dr Sharma had earlier said higher charges were long overdue because some fees had not been reviewed in up to 60 years.

Fees will increase for paying wards, dental services, quarantine services, X-rays, laboratory services and legal requirements, such as medical reports or certificates.