Social Democratic Liberal Party General Secretary, Pio Tabaiwalu is blaming the media after Fijivillage questioned him on why SODELPA is raising issues about the health sector with just over three months to go for elections.

Tabaiwalu claimed that this is not just political campaigning by SODELPA now and they have released statements in the past few months that were not covered.

Fijivillage has not received any of the statements on the health sector from SODELPA until the statement released earlier this week.

SODELPA which is made up of the former SDL party that was in government from 2001 to 2006 now said many Ministry of Health facilities are in disgraceful conditions. 

Tabaiwalu said outpatients are tired of long waits for attention and the colonial - style filing systems containing their medical records still remain. 

He said while the government brags about taking Fiji into the era of the internet and computer technology, it has failed to invest in basic data systems to give faster and more efficient service to the people attending hospitals and health centres. 

However Tabaiwalu has expressed concern that major reforms will be undertaken by the government so close to the election. 

He said by convention caretaker administrations should not undertake major policy changes or major capital expenditure.

Tabaiwalu said SODELPA will improve health services if they are elected to form the next government. 

When questioned on what SODELPA will do if they come into power, Tabaiwalu said they have to do a comprehensive study first and then decide on the areas of concern.

Fijivillage also questioned Tabaiwalu on how much money will be allocated to the health sector and where the funds will come from. 

Tabaiwalu claimed that the major medical reforms recently announced by the Prime Minister are allegedly intended to buy votes for the general election on 17th September.

He said the proposed medical reforms are coming in too late to have a favourable impact on the Government at the forthcoming general election.

Meanwhile Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Elections Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stressed that this is not a vote buying exercise.

He said a number of initiatives as announced in the 2014 National Budget and health reforms will continue.

Story by: Vijay Narayan, Ronal Deo and Watisoni Butabua