Rewa Dairy threatens military regime again

Now that the monopolistic and publicly funded Rewa Dairy Cooperative Ltd is in dire economic straits, they resort to arm-twisting tactics with threats to close shop if they don't get their way.

In fact they've pulled this tired stunt  before.

Moreover they don't even blink when they demand a 60-80 percent increase to their prices, which the Prices and Incomes Board (PIB) is still to deliver a verdict on. By whinging directly to Bainimarama , Serulagilagi has not won himself any favours with the PIB and has made the issue political.

Their product availability and related speculation is already affecting supply domestically.

However hidden underneath their belly-aching drivel is the revelation that Rewa Dairy is in the red by FJD$3mill .

Josefa Serulagilagi the current board chair is no stranger to Rewa Dairy and has been involved at the board level for-almost-ever.

Curiously because his name is almost synonymous with Rewa Dairy, it appears that mismanagement happened on his watch, amidst a myriad of other still largely unresolved issues: technical, land lease related, farm management related , and even profit related.

Even the Fiji Labour Party has, as far back as 2004, realized that the entity was getting too soft, too comfortable and lazy because it was protected.

It's time to put Rewa Dairy out to pasture and let them reorganise, trim their fat so that they can fairly earn consumer dollars instead of depending on taxpayer bail-outs -- that is if the military regime is really genuine about consumer rights.

More prisoners try and make a break for it

The yellow ribbon programme doesn't look like it's that much of a drawcard for inmates anymore, with 2 more prisoners' suffering a failed attempt at making a break for it.

The long Easter weekend could be a factor.

7000 abortion requests: 2006 Report

Under a rather rather innocuous (and presumably censored) heading in Monday's Fiji Times, the abortion issue once again rears it's head.

This time the issue stems from a 2006 study by Fiji's College of General Practitioners who discussed the results of the study and the illegal Crimes Decree. 

According to the meeting of GP's "some members also felt that the decree was restrictive in cases of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies."

Moreover the President Dr Ram Raju takes a view that abortion is "far more liberal in Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada and other countries".

Raju said some GPs thought Fiji could be as liberal because of the huge demand for terminations.

Here's some advice for private practitioner Raju and his  abortion-hungry cohorts: legislation on this issue is solely dependent on the majority wishes of the populace and not a minority view of 7,000 requests for abortions nor opportunistic pro-choice pressure from Women's Groups.

7000 ask to end gestation
Monday, March 29, 2010

A 2006 study has revealed the general practitioners handle close to 7000 requests every year for termination of pregnancies.

Fiji College of General Practitioners president Dr Ram Raju said the research was published in journal The Fiji General Practitioner.

FCGP members yesterday held a mini seminar to discuss the Crimes Decree which came into effect last month.

The decree does not allow general practitioners to use any drug for abortion.

It states it is not illegal for a medical practitioner to perform an abortion as a result of incest. The abortion of foetus conceived through rape is also not illegal under the decree.

Dr Raju said the decree also stated abortions could only be carried out by a hospital-based consultant or in a hospital setting.

"That means abortion can be carried out in a hospital setting provided two doctors have examined and thoroughly looked at the indications," he said.

According to Dr Raju, GPs did not have the setting to do abortion as stated under the decree.

"I think the decree still allows a general practitioner to be highly responsible and work within the laws," he said.

Dr Raju said there were always a substantial number of consultation, requests for termination and counselling for family planning the general practitioners continue to provide on unwanted and unplanned pregnancies.

He said the new decree may prevent the above services being provided.

Dr Raju said the college was asking the members to ensure that proper documentation was done and that counselling was very important.

He said some members also felt that the decree was restrictive in cases of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.

"It is far more liberal in Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada and other countries," he said.

Dr Raju said some GPs thought Fiji could be as liberal because of the huge demand for terminations.

"We feel it's mainly due to failed contraception," he said.

Fiji TV and Fiji Times to participate in draft Media Decree consultations