Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday paid tribute to the selfless work Dr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa was involved with in the health sector, in particular the disabled community.

Dr Yanuyanutawa passed away on Tuesday.

Mr Bainimarama called for a minute’s silence before the opening of the Drug and Alcohol Unit at St Giles Hospital yesterday.

Mr Bainimarama said Dr Yanuyanutawa had done a lot for hospitals and the disabled community.

Many have been sending condolence messages to the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons office in Toorak, where Dr Yanuyanutawa served as an executive director.

Spinal Injuries Association of Fiji’s president Josko Wakaniyasi said that Dr Yanuyanutawa was instrumental in lobbying the components in the 2013 Constitution, related to people with disability in the Bill of Rights.

“Dr Sitiveni had an open door policy, where anyone could come to his office to see him on any issue,” Mr Wakaniyasi said.

“Even to the point where he would drive me to events. Even during his final weeks, he was making sure that everything was up to par, people were meeting standards and a lot of good memories were created.”

The body of the late Dr Yanuyanutawa will be brought to the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons in Brown Street where they will hold a special memorial service in his honour at 2pm today.

After the service Dr Yanuyanutawa’s casket will be taken to his home for the last time. He will be laid to rest tomorrow.

Edited by Pery Kean

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