The government has announced that there are no plans to construct a cancer treatment hospital in Fiji. During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu stated that essential treatment options are already available in the major hospitals.
He noted that under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Aspen and Healthcare Fiji Ltd, plans for a radiotherapy center at Lautoka and Ba Hospital were discussed. Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized that establishing a radiotherapy center involves significant costs.
He mentioned that authorities are currently reviewing the Radiation Health Act of 2009 to facilitate the provision of radiotherapy services in Fiji. The Ministry is collaborating with Lautoka Hospital and the International Energy Agency on a project to develop a radiotherapy treatment center at Lautoka Hospital.
Dr. Lalabalavu further explained that ongoing work is being done by a multisectoral team to examine the Radiation Health Act to ensure the introduction of radiotherapy services complies with international standards.
He reiterated that updating the legislation is crucial for the provision of radiotherapy services in Fiji, stating, “We are doing that as we speak.”