Labasa Hospital Receives A $100,000 Boost
Surgeries at the Labasa Hospital Operation Theatre are much easier and safer now with the provision of a lapascropic tower and other laparoscopic instruments valued at over a $100,000.
Donating this much needed equipment was the Friends of Fiji Health Team (FOHT) from New Zealand who were also conducting surgeries and mentoring surgeons at the hospital from Sunday to yesterday.
The organisation established in 2010 is made up of Fijian businessmen and doctors now residing overseas. Their team leader gynaecologist Auckland Hospital and Fertility Associate Dr Sunil Pillay said this was the second phase of their project at the Labasa Hospital. The assistance came after a scoping visit by the FOFHT to the hospital last year.
“Last year was our first year to engage with Labasa Hospital where we came to do our teaching, mentoring surgery and gauged what was required,” Dr Pillay said.
And this year we have not only delivered those equipment but we are well ahead in terms of capacity building at the hospital,” he said. “Further this instrument could be utilised by the general Labasa Hospital surgical team. This becomes the property of the hospital. We wish to continue investing in Labasa because we can see the potential.”
He said the Fijian medical and nursing staff was talented but all they needed was exposure to newer techniques.
“How do we achieve this? We like to collaborate with businesses and the health sector in Fiji. We firmly believe that by assisting Fiji we enrich our lives as well.” Labasa Medical Superintendent Dr Jaoji Vulibeci said he was grateful to the team for their assistance which has boosted surgery in the operation theatre.
The multinational medical companies like Olympus NZ, assisted FOFHT not only with the equipment but by sending a technician to assist the medical staff.