The would-be two-and-a-half-hour drive for patient transfers from Keiyasi Health Centre in the highlands of Navosa to Lautoka Hospital is now history.

That’s because it will now take only 15 to 20 minutes, via a helicopter.

The Fijian Government, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, has included a helipad in the new $30-million Navosa Hospital.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete yesterday revealed that a medical team was able successfully transferred to Navosa swiftly via a helicopter to attend to an emergency case of a child.

It becomes the first retrieval case successfully carried out with the inception of the new helipad at the hospital.

“The way the hospital has been planned has been very well outlined, keeping in mind its geographical location. And today, we are proud to say that we have used the helicopter pad for the first time,” Dr Waqainabete said.

“For our new facilities, we are not only keeping in mind the different geographical conditions there is, we are also ensuring that we are able to provide a service that is comprehensive.

“We are not leaving any Fijians behind.”

The ministry plans to open the Navosa Hospital in January.

“We received the keys about two weeks back and last week went up to the new Navosa Hospital to have a look at the place and water and electricity has been commissioned,” the minister said.

“We are well equipping the new hospital and advertisements for staff to man the hospital have actually gone out, which we are beginning to fill.

“This is in line with what the Fijian Government has pledged to do in making sure that moving forward we build resilient facilities. This means modern facilities.”

New facilities

Dr Waqainabete also confirmed that the ministry would open the new Nasau Health Centre in the interior of Ba, soon.

“Most of our sub-divisional hospitals have had major renovations and they have been completed and there are some continuing and also some renovations about to begin,” he said.

“We have been able to do that with the provisions we are given, this is despite the pandemic and all over the world, we are grateful that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is funded to be able to do this.

“Hospitals are one thing that needs renovations on a regular basis and the fact that we were able to do that through Government putting finances into health care services.”

Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj