Opposition Crossbencher MP Penioni Ravunawa is urging the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to promptly disclose the preliminary medical report concerning Ilaisa Toroca.
Toroca, aged 23, passed away at Labasa Hospital last Saturday following what his family alleges was medical negligence at Waiyevo Hospital in Taveuni. His father, Sitiveni Johnson, 49, accuses the staff at Waiyevo Hospital of poor judgment that contributed to his son’s death.
Johnson recounted that a doctor at Labasa indicated that if his son had been transferred sooner, he would likely have survived. He mentioned that Toroca died just hours after being transported from Taveuni to Labasa Hospital.
“My son’s health deteriorated severely in Taveuni on Friday, and I repeatedly requested the doctor to expedite his transfer,” Johnson stated. The situation escalated after a dental procedure involving the extraction of two teeth, which led to excessive bleeding that worsened Toroca’s condition.
Ravunawa emphasized that the timely release of the medical report is essential to provide some comfort to the grieving family and to help restore public trust in Fiji’s healthcare system.
He underlined the importance of transparent communication from health authorities in such critical situations, expressing that the loss of a young son has placed immense strain on the family.
“Delays in releasing the official report only add to the frustration experienced by the relatives and the community,” he remarked.