Pacific Specialists Healthcare recently introduced Pill Cams, also known as Capsule Endoscopy, prompting the hospital to order additional units to maintain service levels. Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, noted that the demand for this high-demand service surged after its announcement.
Kumar stated, “We have already placed orders for more, which we expect to receive within a week,” to ensure no disruptions occur. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a minimum three-month supply of stock consistently to prevent shortages.
“We are very mindful of supply chain logistics and are taking steps to minimize disruptions. We are also brainstorming ideas to avoid future supply issues,” he added.
Anticipating high interest in the new diagnostic technology for the digestive tract, Kumar admitted they were taken aback by the actual demand, which exceeded their initial expectations of a 4 to 5 percent increase compared to conventional methods observed in neighboring countries. He stressed the significance of this technology for bowel cancer detection, recommending that individuals over 65 undergo the procedure every two years.
“We were surprised by the number of people coming in for this procedure,” said Kumar.
The capsule endoscopy system allows doctors to visualize the entire small bowel through a small, ingestible capsule. This non-invasive procedure helps in diagnosing and monitoring various digestive conditions. The capsule, roughly the size of a large vitamin, contains a tiny camera and light source that captures images as it passes through the digestive tract.
In addition, PSH Nadi has experienced an increase in patients, both tourists and locals, seeking medical checks and treatments for various health issues. Kumar reported that some tourists arrived severely unwell and required stabilization before being evacuated back to their home countries.
He attributed the rise in patient numbers to the hospital’s 24-hour operation, with expert medical professionals available around the clock.
Looking ahead, Kumar revealed that PSH is preparing to introduce more innovative technologies to enhance healthcare in Fiji. “Our goal is to deliver world-class health procedures and treatments for both Fiji and the Pacific Islands,” he stated.
The hospital is set to offer open-heart surgery and other intensive healthcare services, with a focus on making these procedures affordable for local and Pacific Island patients through low-cost payment arrangements. Kumar, a native of Fiji, is dedicated to understanding the local healthcare landscape and is continuously seeking ways to improve healthcare financing and promote universal health coverage.