Akbar opens new out-patients facility

Arefurbished Nadi Hospital out-patients department with the cost of $70,000 is expected to improve the services for patients and staff at the hospital.

While officially opening the department yesterday, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar, said it was a milestone for the ministry and a fulfillment of a promise to the people of Nadi and the surrounding areas.

“I am confident that this new facility will vastly improve the quality of service and infrastructure to our patients and staff both in the immediate future,” she said. Ms Akbar thanked the hospital’s board of visitors in conjunction with Coptic Care Private Limited and Coptic Care International Limited and contractors for the completion of the structure. “The main aim of the refurbishment and transformation of the old hospital into the special outpatients department was to reduce the overcrowding number of patients at our general outpatient department into this new facility,” she said.

The Nadi sub – division has a population of close to 100,000 with about a 1000 visiting the clinic every month. Furthermore, Ms Akbar said about 350 to 500 patients were attended to at the general outpatients department daily.

This, she added led to complaints and frustrations among patients. “Our Health Ministry has partnered with stakeholders to help curb this problem, the result of that partnership is what we are witnessing today,” Ms Akbar said. The services to be provided by the department include: Diabetic comprehensive care mental health hypertension asthma clinic medical clinic surgical clinic co-ordinate outreach activities following defaulters

patient education and counselling.