'Shine A Light': No Talks Yet On Hospital Operation

India’s  commitment to the Pacific’s health system through a  Fiji-based speciality  hospital is  commendable but has triggered questions on the viability of local private practises and practitioners.

In May last year, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the 3rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation in Papua New Guinea his government’s plans to strengthen India-Pacific partnership – one of which was a state-of-the-art speciality hospital to cater for Fijians and the Pacific people.

Experts from India visited Fiji twice – in December and last month – to conduct a feasibility study of the health sector, dialoguing with private and public healthcare parties.

They also visited the proposed site for the development.

Some of the experts comprised engineers, architects and economists.

It is understood that there is no concrete plan yet for the development, but the Indian High Commission hopes to expedite the construction of the hospital.

Indian High Commissioner Palaniswamy Karthigeyan

He said there were mechanisms in place that ensured the health sector and health workers were protected.

“Anyone who wants to come and work whether it be medical or nursing, they must meet the standards that are supplied through the Fiji Medical and Dental Council to the other allied health workers and Fiji Nursing Council.

“They (councils) ensure that anyone who wants to come in, private or public sectors must vet their credentials and qualifications.”

Dr Lalabalavu said India was willing to provide resources and the capacity that Fiji didn’t have.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the surgeon said the resources brought by India needed to complement existing services.

Opposition Member of Parliament Penioni Ravunawa said it’s essential to keep the preservation of key health professionals such as specialist doctors, allied health staff and nurses.

“There is a noticeable scarcity already. The coalition Government, through the Ministry of Finance, needs to seriously consider the review of salaries, where there is a noticeable scarcity,” he said.

Mr Ravunawa said while he understood the project was still in the deliberation stage, it would be interesting to hear whether it was going to operate as a private or public hospital.

“... public hospital where healthcare services will be provided with subsidy by Government.”

It is understood the budget request by the Ministry of Health for referral of patients overseas increases every year.

Patients are referred to Australia, New Zealand, and most of the time the ideal medical surgery destination is India because they offer cost-effective services.

PROJECT SITE

The coalition Government has identified a site in Nasinu for the 100-bed hospital.

Queries made at the Nasinu Town Council office indicated the vacant piece of land is located opposite the mosque close to the Kinoya Sewerage Treatment Plant along Ratu Dovi Road.

Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo said they were still liaising with the iTaukei Lands Trust Board for the lease.

“Once the lease is finalised, we will layout the plan, and then the environment impact assessment will kick in, which is further down the line,” he said.

Mr Karthigeyan said geotechnical investigations must be done before the construction.

He confirmed the construction was expected to begin at the end of the year, which will take about 24 months.

“They need to finalise a project site for this project. We have a site that has been offered, but for a project of this magnitude understanding the location is important, geotechnical investigations need to be done on the site, and only then we can have the budget implications made,” he said.

SPECIALITY HOSPITAL 

The gift by the Indian Government will benefit Fijians, especially medical cases that are transferred overseas.

“But then again it depends on the finer details of the operation,” Dr Lalabalavu reiterated.

Among other medical surgeries, the 100-bed hospital will specifically focus on cardiac operation.

Mr Karthigeyan confirmed the hospital would focus on more than 10 specialities.

“This will obviously help Fijians because of the high cost of sending patients overseas.

“Having it right here in Suva, delivering a world class healthcare at your own doorstep will greatly reduce the cost of healthcare for Pacific people and it will contribute to the economic welfare of this country and the region.”

A close relative of a patient, who was treated in India for non hodgkin’s lymphoma (cancer cells forming in the lymph system), said for them, their expenses totalled $100,000.

This includes cost of operation, which was about $50,000; their return airfare, accommodation and meals.

The close relative, who did not want to be named, said they were scheduled to stay in India for three months, but her husband passed away much earlier.

She said they were fortunate that the chunk of the medical expenses was covered by insurance.

Mr Ravunawa is appealing to the coalition Government and the Finance Minister to deliver the necessary financial backing and for the allocation of a suitable land for the project.

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