Training boost brings specialised women’s health care to Labasa

Thirteen women have benefited from advanced minimally invasive gynaecological surgery at Labasa Hospital this week, after four Ministry of Health and Medical Services consultants completed hands‑on training that now enables them to independently perform hysteroscopic and laparoscopic procedures.

The intensive training programme was conducted from Monday to Thursday by New Zealand‑based gynaecologist Dr Sunil Pillay, one of the founding trustees of Friends of Fiji Health (FOFH).

The consultants trained were Dr Viliame Nasila, Dr Saiasi Caginidaveta, Dr Viliame Matatolu and Dr Vika Vuniwa, marking a significant boost to specialised women’s health services in the Northern Division.

“This week, 13 women benefited from the surgeries, with the youngest aged 32 and the oldest 55,” Dr Pillay said.

“I am happy to say that these consultants are now fully equipped and can independently conduct hysteroscopic surgeries."

New Zealand-based gynaecologist and one of the founding trustees of Friends of Fiji Health Dr Sunil Pillay in Labasa Hospital on January 8, 2026.

Photo: Supplied

Dr Pillay, a former resident of Narewa Village in Nadi, has worked with hospitals in Fiji since 2010.

He reintroduced laparoscopic surgery at Lautoka, Suva and Labasa hospitals in 2011, before bringing hysteroscopic surgery services to Labasa Hospital in 2023.

Friends of Fiji Health, a New Zealand‑based charitable organisation, has played a critical role in supporting the service.

The organisation donated a full set of hysteroscopic equipment to Labasa Hospital in 2023 and again in 2025, with total donations valued at approximately $250,000.

Labasa Hospital is currently the only public hospital in Fiji offering dedicated hysteroscopic surgery services to women.

Hysteroscopy allows doctors to both diagnose and treat a range of intrauterine conditions, including abnormal uterine bleeding, cysts, polyps, fibroids and infertility.

Dr Pillay said FOFH’s mission was to ensure women have access to quality healthcare while supporting the Ministry of Health through skills transfer to local gynaecologists.

“Labasa Hospital has an accommodating anaesthesia and nursing team, which is why I came alone this time, confident they could manage the surgeries within four days,” he said.

“Apart from New Zealand and Australia, Labasa Hospital is currently the only medical facility in the South Pacific providing comprehensive hysteroscopic surgery services.”

Dr Pillay also thanked Labasa Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Jaoji Vulibeci for making the gynaecology ward and staff available, particularly during the holiday period, to ensure women received timely treatment.

The cost of hysteroscopic surgery in New Zealand ranges from $6,500 to $8,500, highlighting the significance of the service now being available locally.

Patients were able to return home the same day or the following day after surgery and commended the care they received before, during and after their procedures.

Dr Nasila said it had taken two years of training visits by Dr Pillay through FOFH to reach the current level of expertise.

Dr Saiasi Caginidaveta said four doctors had now been trained, three of whom are based in Labasa.

“Hysteroscopy training was a great success, and we have fully accomplished the skills required to independently perform interventional hysteroscopy,” Dr Caginidaveta said.

“This will significantly reduce the burden on women with abnormal uterine bleeding and ease pressure on the health system. We are grateful to Dr Sunil Pillay and Friends of Fiji Health for their continuous and enormous support.”