Opposition Crossbencher MP Penioni Ravunawa is urging the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to promptly release the preliminary medical report regarding the case of Ilaisa Toroca. The 23-year-old tragically passed away at Labasa Hospital last Saturday following what has been described as medical negligence at Waiyevo Hospital in Taveuni.
Sitiveni Johnson, Toroca’s father, alleges that the negligence and poor judgment exhibited by the dental and medical staff at Waiyevo Hospital contributed to his son’s untimely death. He recounts that a doctor in Labasa indicated that if Toroca had been transferred sooner to Labasa Divisional Hospital, he might have survived.
Johnson noted that his son’s condition rapidly declined in Taveuni on Friday, as he repeatedly urged the attending physician to transfer him that same day. The former bowser attendant’s two-tooth extraction reportedly led to severe complications, including continuous bleeding that proved fatal.
Ravunawa emphasized that the release of the medical report could offer some solace to the grieving family and help restore public confidence in Fiji’s healthcare system. He stated that timely communication from health authorities is crucial in such distressing situations.
He expressed that the loss of a young son has inflicted significant emotional strain on the family, and delaying the official report only exacerbates the frustration experienced by relatives and loved ones.