Pacific Specialists Healthcare recently introduced Pill Cams, also known as Capsule Endoscopy, leading the hospital to order additional supplies to ensure uninterrupted service. Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, noted that the demand for this service has surged since its announcement. To mitigate service disruptions, Kumar confirmed that more orders have been placed and should arrive within a week.
The hospital typically maintains a stock for at least three months to prevent shortages. Kumar emphasized the importance of supply chain logistics in maintaining continuity of services and indicated that they are implementing strategies to avoid supply issues in the future.
He acknowledged that while they recognized the potential popularity of this new technology for diagnosing digestive issues, they were surprised by the high level of demand. Their initial expectations were a mere increase of 4 to 5 percent compared to traditional methods, based on regional data. Kumar advocated for the capsule endoscopy as a beneficial tool for detecting bowel cancer, particularly recommending it for individuals over 65 to undergo the procedure every two years.
The capsule endoscopy enables doctors to visualize the small bowel, which is often inaccessible during standard endoscopic procedures. Patients swallow a capsule equipped with a tiny camera that captures images as it moves through the digestive system.
In addition to the new procedure, PSH in Nadi has experienced an increase in patients, including tourists seeking treatment. Some individuals arrived in critical condition and required stabilization before being sent back to their home countries through medical evacuation.
Kumar mentioned that PSH is now operational 24 hours a day, which has allowed them to accommodate the influx of patients and attract expert medical professionals. The hospital is planning to introduce additional advanced technologies that will enhance healthcare in Fiji, including open-heart surgery and other intensive procedures.
Kumar’s goal is to provide world-class healthcare services at affordable prices for both local residents and people from neighboring Pacific islands, emphasizing the importance of making healthcare financing more accessible and supporting universal health coverage.