Fiji Cancer Patients Face Tough Choices Over Chemotherapy Access

Newly diagnosed cancer patients in Fiji are facing a dire situation as they are being told to purchase their own chemotherapy medications or forgo treatment entirely. Belinda Chan, chief executive of the Fiji Cancer Society, has raised alarm over the practices of Aspen Medical, the private operator managing Lautoka and Ba hospitals, which are reportedly charging patients for essential medications.

Each year, Fiji sees over 1,400 new cancer cases, making cancer one of the leading causes of death in the country. Local media has reported that chemotherapy drugs for children can exceed $29,000 (FJ$40,000), placing a heavy financial burden on families already grappling with a medical crisis.

In a recent Facebook post, Chan expressed her frustration, stating that cancer patients in the Western Division are advised: “Purchase or go without.” She characterized the situation as not merely a failure of policy but a significant betrayal of the commitment to Universal Health Coverage.

“This isn’t just a policy failure—it’s a slap in the face to every Fijian who believed in Universal Health Coverage. The National Development Plan promised better healthcare. What we’re seeing is abandonment,” Chan wrote on Wednesday. She acknowledged the dedication of health professionals who have remained steadfast in caring for patients despite the transition of management from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to Health Care (Fiji) Pte Ltd.

Chan condemned the current state of affairs as “cruel” and “unjust,” emphasizing that it does not reflect the Fiji for which many are advocating. She noted that while the Fiji Cancer Society has been quietly supporting clinicians and building networks to source assistance, they can no longer remain silent as patients are forced to bear the cost of survival.

“We cannot stay quiet while lives are priced out of treatment. The Health Ministry and the Government must answer: What happened to Universal Health Coverage? What happened to your promises?” Chan stated.

The Fiji Cancer Society has previously highlighted issues regarding the shortages of chemotherapy drugs, stepping in to provide medications when hospital stocks are depleted. As the situation continues to evolve, RNZ Pacific has contacted the Fijian Health Ministry for a response, seeking clarity on the policies that have left vulnerable patients in such a precarious position.

The community’s outcry underscores a growing concern regarding healthcare accessibility in Fiji, where treatment costs should not impede the essential services necessary for survival.