Pacific Specialists Healthcare recently introduced Pill Cams, also known as Capsule Endoscopy, prompting the hospital to place additional orders to ensure continued service availability. Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, mentioned that the pill camera service has seen high demand since its launch.
“We have already placed orders for more, which we expect to receive within a week,” Kumar stated, emphasizing their commitment to avoiding service interruptions. He further noted that the hospital keeps stock for at least three months to prevent shortages and is actively working on strategies to minimize any supply chain disruptions.
Kumar acknowledged that while they anticipated a certain level of interest in the new diagnostic technology for the digestive tract, they did not expect the demand to be as overwhelming as it has been. He added, “Our expectations were around 4 to 5 percent more than conventional methods, based on literature from neighboring countries.”
He advocated for the importance of this technology, particularly in detecting bowel cancer, recommending that individuals over 65 years old undergo the procedure every two years. “We were surprised by the number of patients coming in for this procedure,” he commented.
The capsule endoscopy system consists of a small, ingestible capsule that allows doctors to visualize the entire small bowel, essential for digesting food. This procedure is designed to diagnose and monitor various gastrointestinal conditions. Patients simply swallow a capsule comparable to a large vitamin, which contains a tiny camera that captures images as it moves through the digestive tract.
Kumar highlighted the benefits of this non-invasive method, stating, “Capsule Endoscopy enables our doctors to visualize the small bowel, which cannot be reached through other endoscopic procedures.”
In addition to the pill cameras, PSH Nadi has experienced an increase in tourists and locals seeking medical checks and treatments. Kumar noted that they had to stabilize some very ill tourists before arranging medical evacuations back to their home countries. He attributed this influx to the hospital’s 24-hour operations and the availability of expert medical practitioners.
Looking ahead, Kumar shared that PSH is preparing to introduce more advanced technologies aimed at enhancing healthcare across Fiji and the Pacific Islands. He expressed his commitment to affordable medical procedures, stating, “I aim to provide world-class health services at low costs and workable payment arrangements for local and regional patients.”
Having grown up in Fiji, Kumar is deeply invested in improving healthcare financing and advancing universal health coverage for the community.