Post graduate studies for about 40 local doctors at the Fiji School of medicine are in limbo with the Health Ministry withdrawing its sponsorship.

Acting FSM Dean Professor Rajat Gyaneshwar says they are in negotiations with the Ministry to try and resume funding.

“That is somewhat under threat in that these courses need to be funded and if the Ministry of Health is not able to sponsor the students that they normally sponsor, then the programmes could be somewhat compromised.”

Despite not securing the annual fee of about one million dollars, FSM has enrolled students and is already teaching some doctors – who at the end of it all, might not be able to pay their fees.

“New students into specialist training programmes that is, into year 1 will find it very difficult. In fact, we have not completed the full enrolment requirements for them because of the lack of funding and clarity on whether they will be funded.”

Professor Gyaneshwar is worried about the long term impact if there is no lasting solution saying doctors might end up working longer hours in what is already an under-staffed sector.

Questions have been sent to Health and Medical Services Minister Jone Usamate who is expected to comment later.