BSP Upgrades Waiting Area
Patients at Coqeloa Health Centre in Labasa are guaranteed better service after a waiting shed area was upgraded by the Bank South Pacific (BSP) Financial Group Limited.
The wooden shed built by the Coqeloa committee about 48 years ago was destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Yasa on December 17, 2020.
The centre has four staff who look after 3,200 people from 21 settlements, four villages and five schools.
Nurse practitioner Ajay Chand revealed that patients used to stand outside of the center either under the sun or rain.
He said it was not until during one of the BSP staff visits to them last year that they requested for an upgrade of the waiting shed area.
BSP commitment
Bank South Pacific (BSP) Financial Group Limited country head, Haroon Ali, said since 2009 BSP had invested $10 million in community projects.
“In the last couple of months we had delivered similar projects in Nadi and Ba as a way to give back to the communities,” Mr Ali said.
“We understand the critical needs of the rural communities not only in terms of health services but also providing banking services.”
He said BSP was in the forefront of leading the charge in the Northern Division where they had branches in Labasa, Savusavu, and the only bank in Taveuni.
He thanked the Labasa branch staff for sacrificing their three weekends and some hours during to complete this project.
Not only the bank sponsored the project but also provided human resources.
Public-Private Partnership
Divisional Medical Officer (DMO) Northern Dr Tiko Saumalua said it was a challenge for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to maintain its facilities.
“One of the priorities of te ministry is to widen its collaboration with partners and stakeholders to help drive an efficient and effective health system,” Dr Saumalua said.
“The ministry is open to public private partnership, especially in areas of infrastructure that would benefit the public at large, the service users and Government.”
He thanked BSP on behalf of the ministry for its assistance which would not only benefit the health centre, but communities at large.
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