Opposition Crossbencher MP Penioni Ravunawa is urging the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to promptly release the preliminary medical report regarding Ilaisa Toroca. The 23-year-old Toroca passed away last Saturday at Labasa Hospital following an incident of alleged medical negligence at Waiyevo Hospital in Taveuni.
Toroca’s father, Sitiveni Johnson, 49, asserts that the negligence and poor decisions made by the dentist and doctor at Waiyevo Hospital contributed to his son’s death. Johnson mentioned that a doctor in Labasa indicated that Toroca could have survived if he had been transferred to Labasa Divisional Hospital sooner.
He reported that his son’s condition worsened severely on Friday before his transfer, and he repeatedly pleaded with the attending physician to arrange for his son’s timely transfer.
Toroca, who had been a bowser attendant at Legend’s Fuel Station, suffered fatal complications following the extraction of two teeth, with continuous bleeding deteriorating his health. MP Ravunawa highlighted that the release of the medical report would provide some solace to the grieving family and help restore public trust in Fiji’s healthcare system.
He emphasized the importance of timely and effective communication from health authorities during such situations, noting that the loss of a son at such a young age has caused significant distress for the family. Ravunawa expressed concern that further delays in the official report’s release would only lead to more frustration among the family and the community.