The construction of a new sub-divisional hospital in the highlands of Navosa will start as early as next month, says Health Minister Rosy Akbar.

“We need to speed up the process because of the urgent need of the people,” Ms Akbar said.

The Keiyasi sub-divisional hospital when completed will serve more than 7000 people to access health and medical facilities which is currently not available.

Ms Akbar, who was visiting the Keiyasi Health Centre in Navosa yesterday, said the the hospital would be a three year project.

She said construction would be underway once the tender for the construction was granted, which would very like be in February.

Sub-Divisional Medical Officer West, Dr Susana Nakalevu said issues faced by the people in Keiyasi included transportation to the medical facility, patient’s wards and better equipped facilities.

The Health Centre to date has only been able to admit patients for 12 hours and there was a shortage of ambulances to transport patients.

After being admitted for 12 hours, the patients would be transferred to the Sigatoka Hospital.

Ms Akbar said she visited Keiyasi to get the progress report on the new sub-divisional hospital which was reported to be in the initial stages.

She said the current health centre would also be developed to be a part of the new sub-divisional hospital.

Ms Akbar was also updated on the proposals in line at Keiyasi to build a new nursing station and upgrade the current nursing stations to health centre standard between the three provinces in the highlands.

Keiyasi Health Centre

Medical officer at the Keyasi Health Centre, Dr Ame Nasokia,  said the health centre was doing well in terms of the delivery of services.

However, he has requested the ministry for some office equipment which Ms Akbar said would be delivered within two weeks.

Ms Akbar also told the senior staff not to hesitate in sending requests to the ministry headquarters should they run short of medicines.

Currently the health centre was supplied stock from the Sigatoka Hospital.

The health centre has one medical officer and three nurses. It serves over 70 patients daily from the provinces of Ba, Navosa and Nadroga.

Edited By Rusiate Mataika

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