The Department of Health under the Ministry of Social Services is committed to ensuring the continued provision of high-quality healthcare services to the community of Niue.
In a media release this morning, Minister for Health-Hon. Sonya Talagi says they understand the importance of a robust healthcare workforce to meet the needs of our people, and we want to assure the public that measures are being taken to address any staffing shortages.
There are currently eleven registered nurses on staff at the Niue Foou Hospital, but more are needed to effectively work rostered shifts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Department of Health is pleased to announce that 2 contract nurses from Tonga and Fiji are expected to arrive within the next month. Recognizing the need for additional support, the Department of Health is pleased to announce that 2 contract nurses from Tonga and Fiji are expected to arrive within the next month.
Furthermore, negotiations are underway with the Government of Samoa to administer the memorandum of understanding as we anticipate the arrival of another three nurses from Samoa in the coming months
Moreover, the Labour Mobility project is set to commence within the next few months to further alleviate staffing shortages and enhance economic development for Niue. The pilot program, scheduled to launch in May 2024, will bring in up to 5 aged care nurses to temporarily work in the Niue health sector for 6 months. The Government of Niue is actively collaborating with the Pacer Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) to develop an Inter-Agency Understanding to administer the pilot program effectively.
The Niue Department of Health remains dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our community and will continue to take proactive steps to address staffing challenges. We appreciate the patience and understanding of the public as we work towards enhancing healthcare services in Niue.
Hon. Talagi says they are also pleased to welcome the new Director of Health-Ms Minerva Ikimau and the new Chief Medical Officer, Dr Salesi Akau’ola.