Cabinet has approved the award of 20 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery scholarships to the University of Fiji.

The decision was based on a submission by the interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama yesterday.

Bainimarama said that the granting of the scholarships to the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine MBBS students is necessary to address the continued scarce skills in the medical profession.

He, however emphasized that the scholarships have been granted following the Fiji Medical Council recommendation that both the PSC and the Government provide financial assistance to the students on the understanding that the program would be reviewed by June 2009.