Villagers In Southern Lau Benefit From Free Medical Checks And Surgeries

Villagers from the Southern Lau group of islands were fortunate to have medical experts provide free medical checks and surgeries in the last few days.

This occurred during a visit from a joint delegation from the United Nations and Government.

Colonial War Memorial Hospital General Surgeon Dr Ilaitia Delasau said: “We were told of only one or two cases before visiting the villages, but when we started doing surgery, the word spread to the islands and people actually turned out in numbers knowing how beneficial the services will be for them and their families.

“There is definitely a need for people who are isolated and are so far away. A lot of them have conditions that need surgery like hydrocelectomy, hernia, lumps and bumps, swellings that are not cancerous, but are really life limiting like socially disinhibiting.”

Dr Delasau thanked the Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete’s vision to take surgery or the whole hospital concept to the outer islands.

Colonial War Memorial Hospital General Surgeon, Dr Ilatia Delasau operating on a patient in Moala Health Centre, Lau.

“It’s the combination of misinformation, stigma and fear of surgery that are contributing factors for villagers in the outer islands not to come and seek medical help,” Dr Delasau said.

“Being from Viti levu, we are blessed to have easy access to these services, but those in the outer islands have their own challenges and they need access to good health too.”

A total of 35 cases were received in Moala, Totoya, Matuku, Vatoa and Ono-i-lau.

There were 10 cases of hydrocelectomy, circumcision 8, Lipoma 4, one case each of hernia repair, foot cyst excision and breast mass excision.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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