Labasa Hospital Patient Visits Halted
Dr Mua Mikaele said they wanted to minimise the risk involved with possible COVID-19 infections on hospital premises. He said this was because there were vulnerable patients who could contract the virus and were at greater risks.
Tuesday 28 December 2021 | 11:00
From left: Sitiveni Naivalu, Orisi Aliki, Lui Ravulolo and Junior Ravulolo with food and supplies for family members admitted at the Labasa Hospital. Photo: Sampras Anand
The Labasa Divisional Hospital has stopped allowing visits to patients in an effort to protect their patients and staff from possible COVID-19 infection.
Labasa Hospital Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr Mua Mikaele, said this important COVID-safe protocol was implemented in the wake of the increasing number of COVID-positive cases in the Northern Division.
Dr Mikaele said they wanted to minimise the risk involved with possible COVID-19 infections on hospital premises. He said this was because there were vulnerable patients who could contract the virus and were at greater risks.
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He clarified that for category four patients, who were bedridden or immobilised, a fully vaccinated family member or carer would be allowed to stay with the patient during the duration of the patient’s admission.
“The carer or family member will not be allowed to go out of the premises and only until the patient is discharged,” he said.
Dr Mikaele said, "Personal items for patients admitted at the hospital could be dropped off at tent six located at the hospital entrance, after which the hospital staff would deliver them to the patient.”
All other outpatient services have been directed to the Nasea Health Centre while Antenatal Clinic Services would be transferred to the Medical Services Pacific (MSP) at Naiyaca Subdivision in Labasa.
“Our staff and team in the North are doing its best to ensure our sick patients and the hospital environment is COVID safe,” he said.
Dr Mikaele added that resumption of patient visits and outpatient services would be determined in due course.
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