Australia Fiji Health Programme donates equipment and 14,000 saline IVs to improve efficiency and patient care.

Expectant women must relocate at 32 weeks with no accommodation support on the mainland.

Islanders pay up to $120 for travel just to extract a tooth, prompting urgent appeal for improved health services.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services said the decision was taken to shut the unit to allow for infrastructure assessments and planned renovation works.

Dr Turaga's concerns were raised during the island's 80th anniversary celebrations this week.

Rabi Island has the highest rate of non-communicable diseases in Cakaudrove Province, with doctors also flagging rheumatic heart disease as a major concern for the Banaban community.