Health

Let them know you’re there to serve and not be served:  Dr Waqainabete

January 21, 2019 8:28 am

Medical officials that have received their posting to rural areas have been encouraged to visit their designated communities.

They have also been advised to meet the people they will provide service to.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says this is an area they’re focusing on adding that health officers must meet the Chiefs or village headmen as well as the district advisory councilors.

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He says it’s very important to meet with the grassroots people and heads of villages and communities to encourage communication.

Dr Waqainabete says he is practicing what he’s preaching by making the first move himself – setting good examples for our medical professionals.

“Getting them to know who we are and what we’re all about and letting them understand that we’re there to serve them, not to be served. That is one of the important aspect that we have been talking about with the young doctors today in realizing that we are there to serve in the communities. We must understand this from day one when we arrive on the island or when we arrive up in the highlands that we’re there to serve the community.”

The Health Minister is also advising his officials that once serving in the community, one must be open to feedback’s – whether it be negative or positive.

Dr Waqainabete is also calling on all medical officials in the rural areas of our country to be responsible when serving Fijians in their communities.

Meanwhile, over 80 doctors who were inducted last week are expected to take up their posting at their various communities from today.