The people of Dawasamu in Tailevu are calling on the Ministry of Health to post a doctor in their area to assist a single nurse in providing services to the district.
Dawasamu District representative Alivereti Wesikana highlighted during a talanoa session with cabinet Ministers at Vuci Village in Tailevu that now only one nurse is looking after their district, which consists of about 10 villages.
Wesikana also asked the Government if a vehicle could be provided to assist other government departments residing in Dawasamu in visiting and providing service in the district.
Responding to the request, the Health Ministry rep says they had advertised the position, but no one had applied for the role.
He says this shows that there are fewer medical professionals in the country as more are moving overseas for greener pastures.
The rep says there is a plan in place where some will graduate this month, and they hope the position will be filled by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Central Josefa Navuku says one of the reasons why there are fewer officials in rural areas is the availability of government quarters.
He urges the people of Tailevu to take advantage of this as they can build homes and rent them out to the officials rather than waiting for the government to build the quarters.
Navuku says there is assistance regarding rural housing.
