A new proposal aims to significantly enhance healthcare services in Fiji’s Northern Division by establishing a state-of-the-art cardiology department at Labasa Hospital. Parvish Kumar, the founder and CEO of Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH Hospitals), presented this plan during a visit from the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Friday. The committee was touring PSH Hospital, known as Fiji’s largest specialty private facility.
Kumar emphasized the necessity of forming strategic alliances with successful private hospitals to boost the nation’s healthcare system. He underscored that a local solution for cardiology could avoid the need for outsourcing to specialized foreign doctors, a model successful at PSH that he hopes to replicate in Labasa. By offering the same funding that the government currently allocates to Labasa, he stated the hospital could improve efficiency and bring advanced cardiac procedures, such as open-heart surgery, to local patients.
This proposition could not only serve local communities by providing critical healthcare within Fiji but also foster health tourism, enhancing investor confidence in the region. Kumar highlighted that improved healthcare facilities would attract businesses, such as hotels and resorts, and encourage international events, all while ensuring that residents have access to world-class medical services.
This initiative aligns with recent advancements at PSH, where the facility has demonstrated its capabilities by performing open-heart surgeries locally. Patients, previously faced with exorbitant overseas medical costs, now have the option to receive high-quality care at a fraction of the price. The emergence of such facilities showcases Fiji’s potential as an emerging destination for health tourism, which can positively impact both local patients and the economy.
The ongoing discussion about enhancing healthcare services reflects a hopeful trajectory towards improved health outcomes for residents and a strong foundation for attracting global medical travelers seeking affordable, quality care. This positive progress can uplift communities and symbolize a shift toward a more accessible and equipped healthcare system in the Pacific.
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