Permanent Secretary gives assurances since MIOT Maternity Unit will close by end of January

The Makoi Maternity Unit together with the Nausori and Colonial War Memo­rial Hospital maternity units are expected to meet the needs of the local population when the MIOT Maternity Unit closes by the end of this month.

The Permanent Secretary for Health, Philip Davies, confirmed this saying that the existing facili­ties would be more than capable.

Mr Davies said the new Makoi Maternity Unity would initially offer ambulatory services such as antenatal clinics, maternal and child health clinics, family plan­ning and ultrasounds.

“When fully open, the Unit will also have 18 inpatient beds and three delivery rooms for low risk births,” he said.

The Makoi Maternity Unit was expected to open last December, which would bring relief to many pregnant mothers living in the ar­eas including areas in Nakasi and Nasinu. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services invested $6.9 million into the maternity unit. It is expected to open soon.

Questions sent to MIOT Pacific on its Maternity Unit closure re­mained unanswered when this edi­tion went to press.

Linens issue

Questions were raised by con­cerned members of the public about the alleged shortage of lin­ens at the CWM Hospital, as nurs­es and doctors would run out of it frequently.

Those who raised the issue claimed that the Hospital was will­ing to accept a donation of linens if people were willing to give.

However, Mr Davies said: “The CWMH Maternity Department has not run out of linen and no requests for donations have been made.”

$2 million equipment

The Fiji Sun received informa­tion that x-ray machines worth $2 million were donated by the Can­berra Hospital for CWM Hospital.

The equipment is understood to be made up of three x-ray ma­chines complete with computer readers and photo developing ma­chines (almost brand new), beds, mattresses, wheelchairs and steri­lising equipment.

Mr Davies responded that he was informed that the equipment was sent and was currently at the Car­penters Shipyard.

“We understand that a shipment of goods and equipment has been unloaded, but we were not made aware that they were being sent.

“The Ministry’s policy on donat­ed goods and equipment requires that they be approved prior to dis­patch,” Mr Davies said.

He said this ensured that goods were of appropriate quality and both safe and suitable for use in Fiji’s health system.

“In the case in question no ad­vance notification was given and, if the goods were to be inspected and found to be unsuitable, the Ministry would be expected to meet the costs of returning them; which would be a drain on re­sources.

“Accordingly, and in line with established policy, we will not be accepting delivery of the donated items,” he added.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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