Higher salaries are attracting former health professionals residing overseas to return and work here.

This was highlighted by Health Minister Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete while responding to a question in parliament on how the ministry can entice highly qualified health care specialists to help develop international standards in Fiji.

Dr. Waqainabete says though some of them may be attracted to the salary package, there are others that volunteer to share their expertise for a certain period of time.

“We also have former Fiji resident who come because of certain programmes, for example, the open heart team that comes regularly from Sydney that supported by the Sydney Adventist Hospital. Over the years we have seen a few more Fiji residents coming with this team including physiotherapist. We also have an open heart team that comes from Auckland which is mostly our former Fiji residents who now live in New Zealand.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Waqainabete informed MPs that one of the current Sub Divisional Medical Officers left his job in South Africa to take up the opportunity here due to the salary package.