“Healthcare Crisis: Is Ba Hospital’s Future at Risk?”

Deputy Opposition Leader Parveen Bala Kumar has emphatically criticized Aspen Medical’s decision to reduce outpatient clinic services at Ba Hospital, describing it as a “death sentence” for the residents of Ba, Tavua, and neighboring areas. Kumar expressed his concern that the Coalition Government’s actions reflect a disregard for the healthcare needs of the community, particularly impacting the sick, elderly, and vulnerable populations.

He highlighted the historical context of Ba Hospital, emphasizing that the people waited generations without adequate medical facilities until the FijiFirst government’s intervention brought essential healthcare services. Kumar accuses the current government of failing its citizens once again by downgrading General Outpatient Department (GOPD) services to part-time operations. He stated that this move jeopardizes patients’ health by utilizing chaotic triage systems that are insufficiently resourced.

Drawing attention to recent tragedies in the region, including the recent fatalities of young students in Ba, Kumar argues that such reductions in healthcare services could lead to more preventable deaths. He also expressed frustration at the government’s spending on travel and reforms while neglecting critical healthcare needs.

Kumar has urged the Minister for Health to step in and restore full outpatient services to the hospital, asserting that the local population deserves better healthcare access. His remarks coincide with broader discussions regarding the challenges facing Fiji’s health sector, particularly those previously raised by members of the Opposition who have scrutinized public-private partnerships and advocated for transparency and equitable access to healthcare services.

As the situation evolves, there is hope that public outcry and political pressure can prompt a re-evaluation of healthcare strategies within the government, leading to improved services and better outcomes for the people of Ba and surrounding regions. Effective governance that prioritizes people’s health over politics could indeed pave the way for significant improvements in Fiji’s healthcare landscape.