The medical superintendent of Labasa hospital in Fiji has welcomed the health ministry's announcement that a number of top-level medical specialists from the Philippines will be recruited to work in the hospital next year.
Dr Jaoji Vulibeci says many Fijian doctors have left their jobs at the hospital to work in private practice, which pays better, or they have simply retired.
Despite patients having to wait longer for treatment due to the doctor shortages, Dr Vulibeci insists the hospital is running smoothly.
Dr Vulibeci says the international doctors are expected to start work at Labasa hospital in January, on a three-year contract.
"At the moment we need a consultant in surgery, we need a consultant in paediatrics, and also a chief medical officer in A & E. And mainly the chief medical officer that we are having problems with in the past few years."
Filipino medical specialists will also work in the main hospitals in Suva and Lautoka.
