The new medical interns during their induction in Lami.

83 new medical interns were this morning reminded during their induction in Lami to maintain professional development, be punctual, develop a good customer/staff experience and be efficient.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete told the newbies that it’s saddening to hear reports of doctors and medical professional who are rude or perceived to be uncaring while dealing with patients.

He advised them to retain the essential humanity and humility which have been the hallmarks of their profession as they go about doing their work wherever they may be posted.

“We don’t condone it. We have a mechanism in play within the government through the Civil Service which looks after Doctors and also the Ministry of Health to identify when these incidences do happen and appropriately counsel and in some incidences discipline the officer that had acted in a way that is unacceptable that we don’t expect from a civil servant and for someone that is serving as a Doctor in the community.”

The Minister called on the doctors to treat their patients, colleagues and their working environment with care and respect.

These are medical interns that graduated from University of Fiji and the Fiji National University in 2017 and completed a year of internship at the three major hospitals around the country.