Patients will have to fork out a little extra after cabinet approved an increase in fees in the non essential category of health services, services provided to paying ward patients, and those referred by the private general practitioners.

This was based on a submission by Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma who said selected fees in selected areas of services as stipulated in the Public Hospital and Dispensaries Act and Regulations needs to be increased to meet the growing costs of both existing and new services to control the frivolous use of the health service.

The Minister said that increases have also been made to the medical certificate and report fees, dental fees, x-ray fees, and laboratory charges.

Increases have also been made to the charges in the hospital covering resident, non-resident, civil servants/senators, outpatients, paying ward, private patients, anesthetics, physiotherapy, vaccination, inoculation and registration of fees.

Anesthetics, physiotherapy, vaccination, inoculation and registration of fees, will also be increased to a reasonable level to ensure that quality hospital services in these areas are maintained and upgrading of services carried out where applicable.

Non-Fiji residents will pay double the new local rates.

Dr Sharma added a review of fees must be conducted regularly to maintain a realistic and reasonable level of charges that take into consideration the actual costs of providing health service and in general the ability of the community and the public to pay for such services.

The implementation date of these charges will be determined by the Health Minister.

 
Story by: Ana Naisoro