Opposition Crossbencher MP Penioni Ravunawa is urging the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to promptly release the initial medical report regarding Ilaisa Toroca.
Toroca, 23, passed away at Labasa Hospital last Saturday following claims of medical negligence at Waiyevo Hospital in Taveuni. His father, Sitiveni Johnson, 49, asserts that the negligence and poor judgment of the dentist and doctor at Waiyevo Hospital contributed to his son’s untimely death.
“The doctor in Labasa informed me that my son was transferred to the Labasa Divisional Hospital in a timely manner and that he would have survived,” Johnson stated. He revealed that his son’s condition deteriorated significantly in Taveuni on Friday, and despite his requests for immediate transfer, it was not arranged until the following day.
The former employee at Legend’s Fuel Station suffered fatal complications after a routine tooth extraction, which led to excessive bleeding. Ravunawa emphasized that the release of the medical report would provide some closure for the grieving family and help restore public faith in Fiji’s healthcare system.
“The timely and effective dissemination of information by health authorities is crucial in such situations,” he remarked. The MP highlighted the severe emotional toll that the loss of a young son has taken on the family. He concluded by noting that the prolonged wait for the official report has only increased frustration among those affected, especially among close relatives.