Health Minister Hon. Dr Ana ‘Akau’ola has confirmed low-level salaries are jeopardising staff retention at Vaiola Hospital.
The Ministry has struggled to retain nurses and doctors post‑COVID‑19, with many leaving the profession due to under‑pay. Since the pandemic, unable to match better-paying overseas roles, Vaiola Hospital has lost nearly half its nursing workforce, dropping from 320 nurses pre-COVID to 176 now. Staff burnout is endemic, with many working extreme shifts as recruitment lags.
Dr ‘Akau’ola described low pay as “the elephant in the room,” highlighting that retaining nurses and doctors hinges on improved salaries. She revealed the main hospital has no ENT specialist.
While one ENT trainee is studying in Papua New Guinea, her request for a Chinese doctor arrived too late to secure deployment. “We’re providing the training but what’s left is trying to retain staff because of the low pay,” she said.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Eke’ has confirmed that both the Government and the Remuneration Authority are reviewing Ministry of Health salary packages as part of the latest national Budget, which has increased overall spending by more than 10 percent.
About $89 million has been earmarked in the next fiscal year budget for broad health-sector improvements.
The Ministry also recently partnered with China’s Qilu Hospital to support medical training and staffing.
A revised pay structure for hospital staff is expected to be unveiled soon, aiming to stem workforce losses.
