Lomaloma Hospital faces water, infrastructure issues
“Water supply and infrastructure are ongoing problems at the hospital,” Dr Devi said.
Thursday 12 June 2025 | 08:32
Updated 08 August 2025 | 15:36 FJT
Lomaloma Sub-Divisional Hospital medical officer Dr Shimal Devi on June 10, 2025. Photo: Sosiveta Korobiau
Lomaloma Sub-Divisional Hospital in the Lau Group is facing severe challenges due to persistent water shortages and aging infrastructure, medical staff have reported.
These issues are significantly affecting the quality and delivery of healthcare services for the islanders.
Dr Shimal Devi, a medical officer at the hospital, said these challenges had become routine and were now major barriers to effective service delivery.
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“Water supply and infrastructure are ongoing problems at the hospital,” Dr Devi said.
“These issues have created significant setbacks, especially when it comes to ensuring basic hygiene, operating medical equipment, and maintaining a safe environment for patients.”
The Lomaloma Sub-Divisional Hospital serves as a primary healthcare centre for surrounding villages and outer islands, often acting as the first and only point of medical contact for many residents.
However, with the challenges highlighted, it has made it difficult for staff to perform even routine medical tasks.
Nurses and doctors have reported delays in procedures, limitations in sterilisation, and difficulties in maintaining sanitation standards due to unreliable water access.
The infrastructure, some of it decades old, has also been described as ‘barely functional’ in parts of the centre.
“Our staff work tirelessly, but there are limits to what we can do when the basic systems are failing,” Dr Devi said.
Community leaders have echoed these concerns, calling on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to prioritise urgent upgrades and sustainable solutions for remote medical facilities like Lomaloma.
“We cannot wait for a crisis before action is taken,” said one village elder, who asked not to be named.
“The health of our people depends on the Government recognising these needs as urgent.”
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has not responded yet, but health officers have said that keeping rural hospitals running was hard because of limited budgets and difficulties getting supplies to outer islands.
In the meantime, staff at Lomaloma Hospital continue to adapt, rationing water, relying on backup storage tanks, and using creative workarounds to ensure patients receive care.
“We need real, long-term investment if we want to improve rural healthcare. Our patients deserve better.”
Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj
