1. GOVERNMENT SPENDS $15M IN THE WESTERN DIVISION – Extension works on the $1million Sigatoka Sub – Divisional Hospital is on track to be completed before September, said the Provincial Administrator Nadroga/Navosa Mr Peni Koro.
2. DECENTRALIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES A SUCCESS – For Thirty-three year old, Kathleen Prasad from Raiwaqa, visiting the out-patient services at the Raiwaqa Health Centre is much more convenient and satisfying since the decentralization of health services at Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) in 2011.
3. FIJI’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN IN GENEVA PRESENTED CREDENTIALS TO UN – Fiji’s newly appointed permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ms Nazhat Shameem yesterday presented her credentials to the UN in Geneva.
1 GOVERNMENT SPENDS $15M IN THE WESTERN DIVISION
Extension works on the $1million Sigatoka Sub – Divisional Hospital is on track to be completed before September, said the Provincial Administrator Nadroga/Navosa Mr Peni Koro.
The two – storey ward will provide a new maternity and child health unit, in line with reforms to decentralize maternal and child health services offered to expectant mothers, infants and children.
“All these are part of Government’s efforts to improve health care facilities and standards of service delivery to ordinary Fijians,” Mr Koro said.
“This will ensure that adequate medical facilities are available for the community in the larger Nadroga/Navosa provinces.”
Once completed, the new maternity and child care unit will see drastic improvement in services and will complement the recently opened $200,000 specialized outpatient department and child health care clinic.
Health care continues to remain a cornerstone for Government and this is evident through the many new health facilities constructed in rural and outer islands.
For 2014 alone, Government has spent $15m in the Western Division to enhance health care through the construction of a nursing station in Nagatagata ($500, 000), the upgrading of the Lautoka Hospital Emergency Department ($5.9m), construction of the first phase of the Ba Hospital ($7.3m), construction of a health centre in Cuvu Sigatoka ($710, 000), and first phase upgrading of the Keiyasi Health centre to a sub – division hospital ($500, 000).
Prime Minister Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama has also recently announced further reforms in the health sector to boost primary health care for Fijians.
This is in line with the Constitution guaranteeing adequate health care to all citizens and the extension of the Sigatoka Hospital underpins Government’s efforts to exploit all avenues towards this end.
-ENDS-
2 DECENTRALIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES A SUCCESS
For Thirty-three year old, Kathleen Prasad from Raiwaqa, visiting the out-patient services at the Raiwaqa Health Centre is much more convenient and satisfying since the decentralization of health services at Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) in 2011.
“There is a number system in place which is fair. One full-time doctor is always available and it saves me time and money from travelling to the city when I can visit my nearest health centre,” said Ms Prasad.
Another patient at this health centre, Ilisaveci Rotukana said the services at Raiwaqa are much better because it is not congested and overcrowded.
“Now people can visit their health centres and less congestion in one place. I find the Raiwaqa health centre nurses are very friendly as they smile when we are seen,” Ms Rotukana said.
Kathleen and Ilisaveci are two of the hundred patients seen daily at the various health centres around the country taking advantage of the decentralised health services available at upgraded health centres.
Decentralising health services to health centres has been a major reform of the Ministry of Health.
Minister for Health, Dr Neil Sharma said health care services around the country is moving in the right direction particularly with upgraded health centres which are now better equipped to deal with illnesses.
“We are moving in the right direction. Health centres are better equipped to deal with illnesses such as common cold, cough, flu, diarrhoea so that larger hospitals can serve as referral centre for complicated cases,” Dr Sharma said.
In 2011, CWM’s outpatient’s services went closed in February to allow the six health centres in the central division – Lami, Samabula, Valelevu, Raiwaqa, Nuffield in Tamavua and Makoi to extend their opening hours from 6:30am to 10pm on weekdays and half day on weekends and public holidays.
“We monitored Valelevu health centre on a daily basis, collecting data hourly on the number of patients seen, equipment needed, services required such as ambulance and delivery of medical supplies and came to know the patient peaks and drops,” Dr Sharma said.
The Valelevu Health centre provides services to around 500 patients in a day, Makoi serves 340 people, Samabula sees 150 patients while Lami receives 80 patients daily.
Dr Sharma further explained that shifting doctors from one health centre to another is crucial for the running of health centres as well as beneficial for the health of doctors and nurses.
The Health Ministry has outsourced services such as security and cleaning at major hospitals in efforts to fully concentrate on primary and tertiary health care.
The mortuary services are now handled by the Suva Funeral Directors while the Labasa and Lautoka mortuary will be outsourced soon.
Plans are also underway to outsource dietary and laundry services as well as Old People’s Home for all three divisional hospitals.
-ENDS-
3 FIJI’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN IN GENEVA PRESENTED CREDENTIALS TO UN
Fiji’s newly appointed permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ms Nazhat Shameem yesterday presented her credentials to the UN in Geneva.
Senior UN representatives, led by the acting director general of the UN office in Geneva Michael Moller, received Ms Shameem’s credentials and assured close cooperation between his office and the Fiji Mission.
The establishment of the Geneva Mission will enable the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to carry out the multitude of work in international organisations in Geneva that are relevant to Fiji’s interest.
Geneva is the main European base of the United Nations, housing 32 international organisations, many of them specialized agencies of the United Nations including the World Trade Organisation, World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation.
Geneva is also host to some 250 Non-Governmental Organisation partners, most notably the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The establishment of Fiji Missions abroad is undertaken after careful considerations are made on its respective and unique mandates.
Fiji’s mission in Geneva will be opened on Monday (2nd June), by Prime Minister Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama.
-ENDS-