Savusavu Hospital faces equipment crisis: Opposition MP

The X-ray machine at Savusavu Sub-divisional Hospital in Cakaudrove is out of service again.

This adds to the challenges faced by the hospital, which at times does not have enough wheelchairs to meet patients’ needs.

Following his recent visit to the hospital, Opposition Member of Parliament Ketan Lal described the lack of resources as “shocking and unacceptable.”

He said people in Savusavu and nearby areas shared with him their painful experiences and highlighted the poor state of the hospital, a facility that serves hundreds from Savusavu and surrounding communities every day.

“I immediately contacted the permanent secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services and even the concerned citizen spoke directly to him,” Mr Lal said.

“While our Prime Minister and Government Members of Parliament continue to take overseas trips, our hospitals are collapsing.”

He said this was not just a healthcare issue but a failure of leadership and a clear reflection of misplaced priorities.

“I am calling on the Prime Minister and his Cabinet minister for health to stop giving excuses and take immediate action to restore basic medical facilities at Savusavu Hospital,” he said.

“Every Fijian deserves access to proper healthcare, not just those living in Suva.”

Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, Penioni Ravunawa said people who complained must follow the proper channel of communication when there was an issue.

“We have wheelchairs around and we can give it to Savusavu Hospital,” Mr Ravunawa said.

“There is an allocation of funds for the hospital’s capital project such as roof and inside facility renovation.”

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