The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is conducting a detailed investigation into the recent incident at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital, where a significant delay in the backup generator’s response resulted in a power outage that caused disruptions, particularly during ongoing surgeries.
The ministry’s statement confirmed that the delay raised serious concerns regarding the hospital’s infrastructure reliability during critical operations. Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu expressed the ministry’s commitment to identifying the circumstances of this failure, assuring the public that improvements would be made to prevent recurrences in the future. “This unfortunate incident has highlighted areas for improvement, and we are determined to address these issues swiftly,” the statement noted.
In light of the recent tragedies, the ministry echoed sentiments expressed previously regarding the state of healthcare at CWM. Dr. Josese Turagava, the chief pediatric surgeon at the hospital, has previously stressed the paramount need for reliable power systems in medical settings, especially during critical circumstances such as hurricane seasons when infrastructure should be at its most resilient.
Concerns have previously been raised about the hospital’s capability in handling emergencies due to insufficient operating theatres and staffing shortages, despite a notable $15 million funding allocation aimed at addressing these systemic issues.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the recent power outage, the Ministry also took the opportunity to commend the visiting New Zealand surgical team for their dedicated service during this challenging period. The ministry highlighted the need for transparency and a collaborative approach in advancing improvements to healthcare delivery across Fiji.
Despite the challenges highlighted by the incident, there is a current push towards reform and adequate infrastructure upgrades, bringing hope for a brighter healthcare future in Fiji. The community’s resilience and advocacy for necessary reforms suggest that systemic issues can be collectively addressed, promising better healthcare access and quality for all citizens in the near future.
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