The Ministry of Health has announced that Labasa Hospital is unable to operate its newly acquired $3 million CT scan machine due to the outdated electrical system, which cannot accommodate the machine’s power requirements. This issue has prevented the scanner from being used since its installation two years ago.
Dr. Imran Ali, a urological surgeon from New Zealand and affiliated with Friends of Fiji Health and ASAP Finance, which funded the scanner, claims that the Ministry only needs to pay $108,000 to Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) for the necessary electrical upgrades to activate the machine. Dr. Ali highlighted that EFL has indicated that the payment has not been processed yet.
He expressed concern for the medical professionals in Labasa, stating, “Doctors in Labasa Hospital and other hospitals in Fiji are doing a great job, but the lack of a CT scanner is hindering their work in Labasa. Without a CT scanner, the situation is like a battlefield in medicine. This is the 21st century, and we need a CT scanner.”
Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu clarified that the delay is not due to funding issues but rather long-standing infrastructure constraints that the government is actively addressing. According to Dr. Lalabalavu, the hospital’s electrical system has not been updated for over ten years. He reassured that plans are underway to install a new transformer and power board, which will not only support the CT scanner but also enhance the overall electrical capacity of the facility.
“Rewiring of the entire hospital will take more than two years, but in the meantime, we are trying to implement a temporary fix to make the CT machine operational,” Dr. Lalabalavu noted, emphasizing that connecting the scanner to the existing power supply could risk damaging the equipment.
This situation is particularly pressing as residents have faced financial burdens due to the cessation of government coverage for CT scans at private facilities, making the operational capabilities of Labasa Hospital vital for the community. Past reports reveal that the hospital’s underutilization of budgeted funds for upgrades has primarily stemmed from electrical capacity issues, leading to halted projects.
Despite these challenges, the coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Health and local stakeholders signify a hopeful commitment to improving healthcare accessibility in Labasa. The anticipated electrical upgrades are poised to restore essential medical services, enhance patient care, and alleviate the financial pressures on local residents seeking necessary medical imaging.
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