Shania Shayal Prasad 
Trade Permanent Secretary Shaheen Ali says all medical specialists from abroad are carefully screened before being allowed to practice in private hospitals in Fiji.
He dismissed claims that some private hospitals are using a loophole to employ underqualified medical professionals.
Ali said there was oversight by an organisation called the Skilled Professionals Evaluation Committee and gave assurance that every check was made to ensure that specialist doctors were qualified for the work they were here to carry out.
He was responding to concerns raised in an FBC news article, which questioned the hiring practices of private hospitals.
“It is proven there is a shortage, it is proven that there are no locals, and furthermore, it has been proven that these skills are in very high demand. Then SPEC comes in and evaluates applications in this particular sector or profession, does the due diligence, and consults with the relevant professional body.”
Ali said the committee evaluated applications for overseas professionals to fill skill shortages in Fiji, including in the medical sector, where there was a high demand for specialists such as pediatricians, gynecologists, and dermatologists.
He clarified that while the government did not work directly with private hospital boards, they assessed applications from institutions that wished to bring in overseas specialists.
Ali pointed out that only 13 out of 24 applications for skilled professionals were approved last year, and the process was not a shortcut, but rather a thorough evaluation.
Established in 2016, SPEC vets qualifications, consults professional bodies like the Fiji Medical Council, and conducts immigration and Interpol checks to ensure candidates’ suitability.
