India Medical team gives free screening for the disabled

For the first time a 10-member medical team from the Maharashdra State, in India is currently in Fiji conducting free screening for persons with disabilities. Minister for Women Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa voiced her gratitude while welcoming the team from the Sahyadri Speciality Pacific Hospital Limited at the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Centre in Labasa yesterday, “Thank you for the initiative to screen persons with disabilities,” Mrs Vuniwaqa said.

“It is humbling to learn that there can be corrective surgeries,” she said. “I would like to urge people to make use of this free service and take advantage of the cultural programmes organised for the group.” Director Manu Munibhargav said the aim of conducting the weeklong free screening in five different locations was to treat people with disabilities with the help of an advanced medical management. “We have been coming to Fiji since 2012 providing medical services as we have a joint venture with Ministry of Health and Medical Services,” Mr Munibhargav said.

“However, we are here for the first time to perform free screening for persons with disabilities.”

“There are various types of disabilities. We are here for screening orthopaedic deformity and ophthalmology.” He said the programme has been sponsored by Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Local Government, Government of India, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, High Commission of India, Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons and the Sahyadri Speciality Pacific Hospital Limited Fiji.

They are in Labasa for two days, before moving to Suva, Sigatoka, Ba and Lautoka. A cultural show has been organised at the conclusion of the medical screenings.