Avikash Pillay, president of the Savusavu Chamber of Commerce and Industries, is urging the Ministry of Health to address the ongoing issue with the inoperative X-ray machine at the Savusavu sub-divisional hospital. The machine, which had been partially functional since July, has been out of service since October of the previous year, leaving patients with limited options for necessary imaging services.
Pillay emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the local business community is willing to provide assistance, but action must come from the Ministry’s headquarters. Patients, like Ilisapeci Bola, voiced concerns about the inconvenience, as they are directed to travel to Zens Medical Centre for X-rays, which can result in delays and increased challenges for those coming from remote areas.
A local business owner, Aren Nunnink, assessed the broken machine and found that it only requires a software upgrade, which a skilled engineer could complete in a brief amount of time. He expressed frustration at the lack of communication from authorities, noting that attempts to reach decision-makers have been thwarted by officials being on leave.
An email sent to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, on December 30, has not received a response, further adding to the community’s discontent.
In the recent national budget, Finance Minister Biman Prasad allocated $12 million for hospital construction and maintenance, which includes upgrades for health facilities in Savusavu. An additional $3.8 million is designated for minor repairs across the country. Despite these funds, the X-ray machine’s malfunction remains unaddressed.
The collective efforts of local businesses and the community highlight a strong desire for improvement in healthcare services. With continued advocacy and collaboration, there is hope that the necessary repairs will soon be made, ensuring that residents have access to critical medical services when they need them the most. This situation presents an opportunity for the Ministry of Health to strengthen its relationship with the local community and demonstrate its commitment to serving the health needs of all citizens.
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