The inclusion of mortuary services at Seaqaqa Health Centre to enhance essential service delivery to rural Macuata is part of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ formulated plans.

Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, said they wanted to strengthen the delivery of medical services to people living in the south of Macuata.

This was after a request was made by Nakaloa Village chief, Josateki Rokotovitovi, during the Prime Minister’s visit on Tuesday.

Mr Bainimarama along with his Government delegation had visited the village to commission the grid extension project.

Dr Waqainabete said an assessment would be conducted to understand whether mortuary services could be introduced in Seaqaqa.

Mr Rokotovitovi said there was an immediate need for mortuary services at Seaqaqa Health Centre.

He said the provision of this service would reduce the financial burden of expensive carrier vehicle hires for villagers.

“When we hire the van to transport the body from our village to Labasa Hospital, it costs us around $150 which is expensive, whereas transporting a body to Seaqaqa the carrier hire will only cost $60,” he said.

The Nakaloa chief said the request was not only meant for his village only, but to accommodate the mortuary need for three districts of Dreketi, Macuata and Sasa.

Dr Waqainabete said they team based at the Divisional Medical Office (DMO) Northern Division had already formulated plans to improve health service delivery in Seaqaqa.

“What we will do now is go back to our headquarters in Suva and get the Macuata team to actually look at the need basis of the surrounding communities of Seaqaqa,” he said.

Other Northern Health Services

Dr Waqainabete said this financial year, they were also developing the Savusavu Hospital facilities which would be a multi-million dollar extension.

They had already completed the $2million upgrade of the Nabouwalu Hospital which housed mortuary services as well.

“Post COVID-19, we continue to decentralise our services to Fijians in remote Fiji,” he reiterated.

Dr Waqainabete said they want to develop the Seaqaqa Health Centre into at least the standard of a mini hospital.

“This will ensure more Fijians living in Macuata don’t have to rely on Labasa only.”

Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj