The Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services Alex O’Connor has extended his sincere gratitude to the health workers for commitment in pro­viding essential health services in the villages.

These health workers have been trained in to render their services and work closely with the nurses to assist the people who need medical attention.

It comes during his tour of Taveu­ni health centres this week.

Five women in the Vuna district have been engaged in providing community health services in their respective villages in consultation with the station nurse.

Nunia Corerega of Kanacea Vil­lage in Vuna, Taveuni, visits peo­ple in their homes to provide the services as well assist in the MCH clinics.

“Every month during the first and second week we visit the patients particularly for home cases as they cannot come to the health station and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays we assist in the children’s clinic at the station”, said Ms Corerega.

The Government’s initiative of rewarding the community health workers financially has filtered down well in the community be­cause it is a source of income for their families while it eases the workload of the station nurses.

The aim of the visit is to inspect the facilities and identify the im­mediate developments which will further strengthen the delivery of health services in the medical divi­sion.

Mr O’Connor said: “Some health facilities were built way back in the 1970’s and are in dire need for ex­panding because we now have ser­vices such as diabetes foot care and Maternal Child Health clinics and we need to cater for them therefore, these extensions are necessary.”

An equitable and affordable health service remains the priority therefore, nobody should be left be­hind and the Health Ministry looks forward to working closely with its stakeholder partners to achieve this.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj