The Ministry of Health is currently investigating an incident at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) where an open-body surgery was abruptly halted due to a power outage last Monday. The ministry confirmed there was a delay in the response of the backup generator, which failed to activate automatically during the outage.
This incident coincided with the presence of a visiting surgical team from New Zealand, comprised of skilled professionals dedicated to providing care. Unfortunately, this power failure raised serious concerns regarding the hospital’s infrastructure and reliability during emergency procedures. Dr. Josese Turagava, the chief paediatric surgeon at CWM, expressed disappointment over the situation, emphasizing the critical need for reliable power systems, especially in challenging conditions like a hurricane season.
Reflecting on the broader issues facing CWM, Dr. Turagava noted that the hospital has been grappling with insufficient operating theatres and staffing shortages, exacerbating the challenges faced by medical personnel. Despite a funding allocation of $15 million from the Health Ministry aimed at addressing these concerns, significant progress on necessary repairs has reportedly lagged over the past two years. Currently, four operating theatres remain in urgent need of repair.
The Ministry of Health’s response to this incident includes a commitment to review the circumstances leading to the generator delay and to implement preventive measures for the future. Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu has assured the public that the ministry is actively pursuing improvements to enhance healthcare delivery, fostering hope for the future.
This situation not only highlights the urgent need for systemic improvements within Fiji’s healthcare system but also serves as a prompt for community members and stakeholders, who are steadfast in advocating for reform and ensuring the safety and quality of medical services for all citizens.
Overall, the incident brings to light the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare facilities in Fiji, yet it also underlines a communal resilience and determination to advocate for necessary reforms that promise a brighter healthcare landscape.
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