The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has moved to quash claims circulating on social media about patient care at the Valelevu Foot Clinic, saying the online post contained inaccurate information and stemmed from miscommunication. Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa said the nursing team at the clinic immediately reviewed the matter to establish the facts and to reassure the public.
Ravunawa confirmed the nurse involved advised a patient’s relative to wash and reuse a crepe bandage for temporary home care — a step the Ministry said was taken to maintain dressing integrity until the next clinical review. Contrary to the viral post, the nurse did not recommend the use of gloves. Because the Valelevu clinic is closed on weekends, the relative was also advised to obtain plaster and was shown correct dressing techniques to ensure the patient’s wound was protected until their scheduled follow-up.
The Ministry acknowledged that a miscommunication or misunderstanding had led to the inaccurate social media account. While stressing that families should always raise concerns about care, Ravunawa urged people to verify information before posting online to avoid creating unnecessary alarm or undermining community confidence in health services. He said the Ministry wants complaints and queries to be channelled through proper avenues so they can be resolved promptly and factually.
To that end, the Ministry reminded the public of the 157 toll-free helpline, which can be used to lodge formal complaints or seek clarification while at a facility or afterwards. The assistant minister said using the helpline helps ensure concerns are documented and managed through the appropriate clinical and administrative processes rather than being amplified through unverified social media reports.
Ravunawa also defended frontline staff, saying they deliver essential services under often-challenging conditions and deserve fairness and respect. The Ministry said it will provide support to the staff involved and reserves the right to refer defamatory or malicious online content to the appropriate authorities, including cybercrime agencies, where necessary.
This clarification is the latest development after the social media allegations circulated, drawing attention to how quickly unverified posts can affect perceptions of public health services. The Ministry’s response aims both to correct the record in this specific instance and to remind the public of established channels for raising legitimate concerns, while protecting health workers from misinformation that can erode morale and public trust.
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