Two women from Lekutulevu Village in Cakaudrove faced the harrowing experience of delivering their babies en route to a hospital due to a flooded bridge. Local resident Livia Tuimoala spoke about the challenges the community encounters when trying to access healthcare during adverse weather conditions. The persistent issues with the Dreketilailai bridge have made it difficult for villagers to reach essential medical services, forcing them to travel all the way to Labasa since there is no health center in Lekutulevu.
Ms. Tuimoala, who has been wheelchair-bound for three years, expressed her concerns about the potential worsening of her health due to the difficulty in accessing medical care. She stressed, “Without a nearby clinic, residents must travel long distances for medical check-ups or emergencies, which can take hours and sometimes lead to life-threatening situations.”
Furthermore, Ms. Tuimoala highlighted that mobile network issues compound the problem, as residents struggle to call for emergency assistance or transport to hospitals. Efforts to reach the Commissioner of the Northern Division, Uraia Rainima, for comment on the situation have been unsuccessful.
The persistence of these healthcare access problems illustrates the urgent need for improvements in infrastructure and communication services in rural areas, especially during harsh weather conditions.
On a hopeful note, awareness of these challenges may encourage local authorities and the government to prioritize infrastructure development and enhance healthcare accessibility for remote communities like Lekutulevu. Enhanced communication can also play a significant role in mitigating health crises, ensuring that timely assistance is available when needed most.
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