Punjas Group Invests $500k on Health Centre
Punjas Group has invested more than $500,000 into the extension project of the Punjas Health Centre in Lautoka.
The project which is anticipated to be completed in the next four months will provide more services to patients as it will feature x-ray facilities, a specialist outpatient department (SOPD) and a blood testing laboratory.
The Punjas Health Centre has been operating under the Public-Private Partnership agreement between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services
and the Punjas Charity Trust.
The project’s groundbreaking ceremony was led by the directors and management of the Punjas Group together with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr James Fong.
While speaking in Lautoka yesterday, Punjas Group chief marketing officer, Gopal Jadhav said healthcare and well-being was at the very centre of the Punjas Group mission.
Mr Jadhav said the Punjas Health Centre which was commissioned on January 23, 2015 was the invention by one of the group’s senior directors, Kanti Punja who has been the instrumental figure in driving the group’s charitable projects.
“The extension of the current building is very timely as we believe it is expected to ease the load from the Lautoka Hospital,” he said.
“The aim is to reduce the waiting time for patients so that they are quickly seen by the medical professionals and return home to rest.
“Diabetes seems to be a major concern amongst our communities together with NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases).”
He said having a blood test lab facility at the newly extended centre would serve the larger concerned population so that they commence their therapeutic process quickly.
Dr Fong highlighted that the Punjas
Group had touched his heart for a long time after seeing evidence of the efforts the group had put into Fiji.
“I started my medical career here in Lautoka as an intern sometime around 1989 and I have seen how Punjas has contributed to the nation, contributed to Lautoka’s wellbeing and I have traveled the region and I’ve seen evidence of your contribution throughout the region,” said Dr Fong.
“This initiative represents exactly the kind of remedy that we need to ensure that what is available in the front phase also means that the services are available at the tertiary level, what I mean is that this represents for us an entry point and the fact that it’s an easier entry point for people it means that tertiary health service is easier to access.
“So what we are going to work on given that this is part of our landscape together with the other health centers around the place is to try and ensure that we have referral pathways, and that is crucial for us.”
He added the fact that Punjas Group expanded their focus into having other facilities spoke volumes of the wisdom and commitment the group had.