In Lekutulevu Village located in Cakaudrove, two women faced a harrowing experience last year as they had to give birth en route to the hospital due to a flooded key bridge. Villager Livia Tuimoala shed light on the constant obstacles the community encounters when seeking healthcare during the rainy season, with the precarious state of the flood-prone bridge at Dreketilailai posing a significant challenge.
According to Ms. Tuimoala, residents are now compelled to travel to Labasa for medical services as there is no healthcare facility available in Lekutulevu. She indicated that the bridge’s frequent flooding complicates access to essential health services. As someone who has been wheelchair-bound for three years, Ms. Tuimoala expressed her concerns about the potential deterioration of her health and the difficulties she may face in receiving timely medical assistance due to the bridge’s unreliability.
She highlighted the additional stress that comes from communication issues, as villagers often struggle to reach out for emergency services due to mobile network problems, further escalating the risks during critical times when immediate healthcare is needed.
Calls for urgent action have been directed towards the government to address these longstanding infrastructure problems affecting the villagers. The community is hopeful that solutions will be implemented soon, allowing them to access the vital health services they need without undue hardship.
This situation reflects the broader challenges many rural communities face regarding infrastructure and healthcare access. However, it also underscores the resilience and determination of villagers like Ms. Tuimoala, who continue to advocate for necessary changes to improve their living conditions.
Leave a comment