Pacific Specialists Healthcare recently introduced Pill Cams, also known as Capsule Endoscopy, prompting the hospital to order additional supplies to ensure services continue without interruption.
Parvish Kumar, the hospital’s director and CEO, noted that the demand for the pill cam service surged once it was announced. “We have already placed orders for more, which we expect to receive within a week to prevent any service disruption,” Kumar stated. He emphasized the hospital’s commitment to maintaining a stock that covers a minimum of three months to avoid any shortages.
Kumar mentioned that the healthcare facility is carefully managing supply chain logistics to minimize disruptions and is exploring strategies to mitigate potential issues moving forward. He acknowledged the unexpected high demand for this new digestive tract diagnostic technology, originally anticipated to have a 4 to 5 percent preference over traditional methods based on regional studies.
He advocated for the use of this innovative technology, particularly for bowel cancer detection, recommending that individuals over the age of 65 undergo the procedure biennially. “We were surprised by the number of patients seeking this procedure,” he admitted.
The capsule endoscopy system involves swallowing a small ingestible capsule that enables doctors to visualize the entire small intestine, which plays a crucial role in digestion and various metabolic functions. This procedure serves to diagnose and monitor multiple digestive tract conditions without the invasiveness of traditional endoscopy methods, as Kumar explained, “The capsule, equipped with a tiny camera and light source, captures images of the small intestine as it moves through the digestive system.”
Additionally, PSH Nadi has experienced an increase in both tourist and local patient visits for medical evaluations and treatments. Kumar noted, “We’ve had tourists who arrived in critical condition, necessitating stabilization before their return home through Medivac arrangements.” The hospital’s round-the-clock operations and the presence of expert medical practitioners have contributed to this influx.
Looking ahead, Kumar revealed that PSH plans to introduce more advanced technologies that will significantly enhance healthcare services in Fiji. “My vision is to provide world-class medical treatments for both Fiji and the Pacific Islands,” he shared. The facility is preparing for open-heart surgeries and other intensive healthcare procedures, focusing on delivering affordable services to local and regional patients. As a local resident, Kumar is committed to evaluating ways to improve healthcare financing and promoting universal health coverage in the community.