Levuka Hospital using twin cab as ambulance, island has no private pharmacy

Patients in Levuka are being transported to hospital in a Government twin cab because the town has been without an ambulance for at least two years, a senior health official says.

Levuka Sub-Divisional Medical Officer Dr Malakai Ranuve revealed the situation during the Fijian Media Association Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, saying the hospital had relied on a Government twin cab since he arrived in 2023.

"In terms of the ambulance, we do not have an ambulance for Levuka Hospital.

"We only have a government twin cabs that we use."

Dr Ranuve said the lack of an ambulance also affected medical standby services for the regular weekend rugby competitions held in Levuka.

"Responding to sports rugby standbys, we have rugby matches every weekend here in Levuka. We have the personnel to provide the standby but without the support of the ambulance services."

Asked how patients requiring medical evacuation were transported, Dr Ranuve said the hospital used the twin cab.

"We use the hospital transport which is the twin cab. If it's a sitting case, they sit in front. If it's a lying case, we use the tray at the back."

Dr Ranuve said the situation had existed since he took up his post.

"Ambulance situation, I came into Levuka in 2023 as SDMO and we haven't had any ambulance since then."

He said the Ministry of Health had indicated that relief was on the way.

"But with the response to the ambulance, I must assure the people of Levuka that there are ten ambulances coming into the government with support from the government of India and the minister has assured me before coming here that we are going to get one."

Dr Ranuve also highlighted another challenge facing residents, saying the island has no private pharmacy.

He said the only pharmacy on Ovalau was the Government pharmacy at Levuka Hospital.

"We do acknowledge that sometimes we have stock outs of drugs so we give prescriptions to the public and the only option they have is to send it across to the mainland."

He said discussions had been held with the business community about establishing a private pharmacy on the island.

"I think we've had this discussion with our business community on trying to get in private pharmacies for the island."