God-fearing Doctor Delivered Twins in Under-Resourced Island Health Centre
‘My upbringing taught me to be patient and composed amid chaos and struggles, to be resilient during hardships, to show gratitude for the little that we have’.
Sunday 18 February 2024 | 11:27
Dr Rusila Tikoitoga with the new set of twins delivered at Cicia Health Centre on February 12, 2024.
Do not rely on your own strength and knowledge, but always acknowledge the existence of a higher power, the Creator of all anatomies.
This is the mantra Dr Rusila Tikoitoga lives by daily in her strife to serve the people on Cicia Island in the Lau Group.
Dr Tikoitoga mans the Cicia Health Centre with the assistance of a staff nurse. The duo looks after five villages on the island, serving about 950 people.
Related stories
On Monday, the 30-year-old Natokalau, Matuku woman, with maternal links to Nukuloa, Gau, helped deliver a pair of twins with the help of her staff nurse.
Dr Tikoitoga’s ability to carry out this task in an under-resourced hospital was publicly acknowledged by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Minister for Health, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu this week.
Dr Rusila Tikoitoga leads the commemoration of Pinktober with islanders raising awareness on breast cancer on the island.
The urge to press on
Dr Tikoitoga is a product of a struggling background. She understands the value of hard work and determination.
She was born and raised at Nasole, Nasinu, and is a former student of Dudley High School in Toorak, Suva.
“My upbringing taught me to be patient and composed amid chaos and struggles, to be resilient during hardships, to show gratitude for the little that we have.
“These were among the many Christ-centered life principles that our parents showed us. Those experiences moulded me to become the person I am today - fearless, resilient and learning to live a purposeful life in Christ alone.”
Her advice to healthcare workers is to work smart and always cherish time with their families.
“Do not rely on your own strength and knowledge. Yet acknowledge the existence of a higher power, the Creator of all anatomies. Seek Him first and everything else shall fall into place.”
Minister for Health
In a statement on Thursday, Dr Lalabalavu acknowledged the incredible work of Fiji’s healthcare workers.
“They are the unsung heroes who tirelessly and selflessly aid individuals and members of our communities in times of emergency,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“I was recently informed about the remarkable story of Dr Tikoitoga, who runs the Cicia Health Centre in Tarukua, Lau. Despite the limited resources at the health centre, she managed to successfully deliver twins on Monday afternoon,” he said.
“Her dedication, expertise, and quick thinking played a crucial role in the safe delivery of these precious lives.
“In a humble statement, Dr Tikoitoga attributed the success to God. It is truly inspiring to see such humility and faith in our healthcare professionals, who often work in challenging conditions. Their resilience and determination are what make them the backbone of our healthcare system.”
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
https://poll.app.do/embed/fiji-s-current-inflation-levels-in-2024
