Navua hospital wards closed over safety concerns

The Navua Hospital inpatient and birthing unit has been closed since May after staff raised concerns about the building’s structural integrity.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services said the decision was taken to shut the unit to allow for infrastructure assessments and planned renovation works.

As a result, maternity services have been temporarily relocated to the administration block in the outpatient building, while patients requiring ongoing inpatient care or specialist obstetric services are being referred to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.

The ministry said the changes had been communicated to the Navua community.

On average, about 15 deliveries are carried out at Navua Hospital each month. Since the closure, 289 patients requiring inpatient care have been stabilised, admitted, transferred or discharged, according to the ministry.

The Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Public Works and other partners to assess the damage and carry out repairs. Further engineering assessments are expected in the coming weeks to determine the extent of work needed before the hospital can return to full operation.

Despite the closure of the inpatient and birthing unit, Navua Hospital continues to provide primary health care, emergency services, maternal and child health services, outpatient and specialist outpatient services, radiology and laboratory services, physiotherapy and dietetics.

Family planning and maternal and child health clinics are operating from the Old Navua Hospital.

The Navua Hospital health team continues to work with communities in Serua, Namosi and Beqa, with support from the Provincial Administrator’s Office, Roko Tui offices and local tikina and yasana councils.

The ministry said it was committed to resolving the infrastructure issues and thanked hospital staff for maintaining services under challenging conditions, as well as the community for its patience.