Opposition Crossbencher MP Penioni Ravunawa is urging the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to promptly disclose the preliminary medical report regarding Ilaisa Toroca. The 23-year-old tragically passed away last Saturday at Labasa Hospital following alleged medical negligence at Waiyevo Hospital in Taveuni.
Sitiveni Johnson, Toroca’s father, asserts that the negligence and poor judgments made by the dental and medical staff at Waiyevo Hospital contributed to his son’s demise. Johnson stated, “The doctor in Labasa told me that my son had been transferred to Labasa Divisional Hospital on time, and he would have survived.” Toroca died only hours after being flown from Taveuni to Labasa Hospital.
“My son’s health deteriorated quickly in Taveuni on Friday, and I repeatedly asked the doctor to send him that same day,” Johnson recounted. The situation escalated after a two-tooth extraction led to severe bleeding that worsened his condition. MP Ravunawa emphasized that releasing the report would provide some solace to 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 during such incidents,” he stated. The MP lamented the significant emotional toll on the family due to the loss of their son and expressed that further delays in releasing the official report only add to the frustration of the relatives and the community.