Opposition Crossbencher MP Penioni Ravunawa is urging the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to promptly release the preliminary medical report concerning Ilaisa Toroca. The 23-year-old passed away last Saturday at Labasa Hospital, following allegations of medical negligence at Waiyevo Hospital in Taveuni.
Mr. Toroca’s father, Sitiveni Johnson, 49, asserts that the actions of the dentist and doctor at Waiyevo Hospital led to his son’s tragic death. He recounted that a doctor at Labasa Hospital indicated that had Mr. Toroca been transferred sooner, he likely would have survived.
Mr. Johnson revealed that his son’s condition deteriorated significantly on Friday in Taveuni, and he repeatedly urged the doctor to facilitate an immediate transfer, which only took place on the same day Mr. Toroca died a few hours later after arriving at Labasa Hospital.
The untimely death of the former employee at Legend’s Fuel Station followed a routine two-tooth extraction that led to severe complications due to continuous bleeding. Mr. Ravunawa emphasized that the timely dissemination of this medical report would provide some solace to the grieving family and help restore public confidence in Fiji’s healthcare system.
He highlighted the importance of efficient communication from health authorities in such critical situations, noting that the loss of a young life has caused significant distress for the family. The prolonged wait for an official report has further fueled frustration among relatives and the community.