Lack of x-ray and dental facilities burdens Rabi islanders

Rabi Health Centre is appealing for x-ray and dental facilities to prevent patients from spending over $100 just to access basic services.

Senior medical officer Dr Jone Turaga said patients currently have to travel to Savusavu for x-rays and dental work, incurring significant costs.

“We could look into having a dental and x-ray technician,” Dr Turaga said.

“They have to pay almost $120 to travel just to have a tooth extracted.”

The health centre lacks both the equipment and trained technicians to provide these services locally, despite being classified as a Level A facility.

“At present, we lack basic investigative equipment and the necessary human resources,” Dr Turaga said.

“X-rays and dental services are something we keep referring left and right to the hospital.”

X-rays are essential medical images that help doctors diagnose broken bones, lung infections, and other health problems.

Dr Turaga explained that the absence of x-ray services particularly affects pregnant women and patients requiring urgent care.

“We need more equipment for x-rays, which is really important for antenatal mothers and those needing urgent management,” he said.

“This has been a challenge for us doctors when deciding whether to send patients away for further treatment or keep them on the island.”

Without x-ray capabilities, doctors often send patients home, only for them to return later with complications that could have been prevented through early diagnosis.

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