Staff Shortage in Health Department still a Challenge
The Report states, the department started with 12 nurses in the beginning of this fiscal year but dropped to 6 by January, 2023.
The nurses work 7 days a week to cover the hospital’s 3 shifts.
According to the Department of Health’s recently released Annual Report from July 1st, 2022 to June 30th, 2023, one of the challenges faced by the department is staff shortage, especially for their nurses.
The Report states, the department started with 12 nurses in the beginning of this fiscal year but dropped to 6 by January, 2023. The nurses work 7 days a week to cover the hospital’s 3 shifts.
The Health Department has a total works force of 61 staff. This includes 16 Administration staff that includes management, 5 Ambulance Drivers, 4 cleaners and 1 Receptionist.
In other divisions of the Health department there are 12 clinical staff which include medical doctors, 1 pharmacist, 1 radiographer/sonographer, 1 lab technician, 1 physio therapist, 1 paramedic and two trainees in the lab and pharmacy, 1 assistant physio therapist and one part time lab technician.
Of the 61 total staff from July 2022 to June 2023, 6 staff work for dental, 8 work for the Aged care facility and five staff of the Public health division.
The report was written by former Director of Health Dr. Eddie Akauola.
The newly appointed Director of Health-Minerva Ikimau will be arriving on the island this Friday.
The Health Departments Annual Report for 2022-2023 was tabled at the Fono Ekepule last week by Minister of Health Hon. Sonya Talagi.
