Medics Arrive In North, Assist Health Teams
Ateam of Ministry of Health and Medical Services support staff from Viti Levu arrived in the Northern Division yesterday.
They are there to support health teams in their COVID-19 containment efforts.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong, said the group visited the Savusavu Hospital and nearby health centres to prepare Northern Division-based staff in the implementation of their COVID-19 readiness and preparation plan.
This new development follows a hike in COVID-19 positive cases in Vanua Levu.
Dr Fong said the team would focus on teaching doctors and nurses on how to sort out and navigate long lines and to discuss the care plans that would be implemented.
“The team will then head to Taveuni and then return to Vanua Levu for further COVID-19 support and assistance in managing COVIDpositive cases,” he said.
“Medical professionals at Labasa Hospital and health centres are in a better position to contain and manage COVID-19 community transmission cases in their vicinity.
“This is because members of the same team in Labasa who were
deployed for FEMAT duties in Viti Levu have months of experience in a COVID-19 environment,” he said.
Dr Fong confirmed they have adequate surge capacity of oxygen concentrators and essential supplies in the Northern Division.
Ministry monitor hospital admissions
Dr Fong said it was now a time for northerners to decide and make provisions for themselves in adhering to COVID-19 safe protocols.
“The main priority our ministry is focusing on now is to consistently
monitor the positivity rate of COVID-19 cases in the division and how these could impact the societal disruption,” he added.