$1.3 Million For Overseas Treatment

The Fijian Government has al­located $1.3 million to help those families and patients who need overseas treatment.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar said that this was specially allocated for patients whose treatment was not available in the country.

“One of the requirements is that a medical report that supports over­seas treatment and surgeries must be given,” Ms Akbar said.

She also said that families needing assistance for overseas treatments have been urged to visit the Ministry of Health and Medical Services office before making any hasty decisions.

Ms Akbar however, said that a lot of families have taken their loved ones overseas for treatment on their own expenses and have returned to claim for a refund which is against the policy.

She said the committee which is made up of consultants liaise with the recommended hospitals in India and upon their recommendation pa­tients are sent there.

Ms Akbar said they have also had cases where families have been de­nied assistance because the progno­sis (diagnosis) has been poor.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar