A grieving father is seeking answers from the Ministry of Health, claiming that medical negligence and inaction contributed to the death of his healthy 23-year-old son last Saturday. Sitiveni Johnson of Waiyevo, Taveuni, lost his son, Ilaisa Toroca, around 6pm, attributing his death to excessive bleeding following complications from a tooth extraction at Waiyevo Hospital. Mr. Johnson accused the hospital’s dental team of causing his son’s demise, stating, “It was a simple tooth extraction that went horribly wrong. The dentist’s actions caused his health to worsen.”
Mr. Johnson described the heartbreak of watching his son’s condition rapidly decline after the procedure. This tragedy has sparked public outrage on social media, with many criticizing the Ministry of Health for inadequate service delivery at public healthcare facilities. Despite efforts to reach the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, for a comment on the case, he declined, stating, “Sorry, I can’t talk right now.” Numerous complaints have emerged regarding delayed patient care and a lack of resources at major hospitals, including a recent water shortage at Navua Hospital that the ministry addressed only yesterday.
Mr. Johnson detailed that his son first went to Waiyevo Hospital nearly three weeks ago to have two teeth extracted. After persistent bleeding five days later, he returned to the hospital, where the dentist used cotton wool to temporarily stop the bleeding and sent them home. On Friday, when his son began vomiting blood, Mr. Johnson returned to the hospital for a third visit. Despite his urgent requests, medical staff allegedly failed to arrange his son’s transfer to Labasa Hospital in time. Mr. Johnson arranged for a flight himself, and they arrived at Labasa Airport around 3pm on Saturday, but Ilaisa passed away three hours later despite attempts to save him. Mr. Johnson noted having seen an X-ray report revealing excessive internal bleeding and expressed frustration over the delay in transferring his son.
Ilaisa, described as energetic and loving, will be laid to rest in Pagai Village, Taveuni, tomorrow. An email sent to Fiji Dental Association President Dr. Parikshath Naidu went unanswered as of the time of this report.