Sanctuary for wellness
IT is a beacon of hope and a sanctuary for wellness.
People who go there, regardless of their circumstances, can find support and solace.
This is what the new Tavua Health and Wellness Unit has been described as.
With the opening of the unit, about 5000 people will have access to mental health services while around 500 would get crucial medical supplies.
Situated in the Tavua Hospital compound, the new unit was fully-funded by the FIJI Water Foundation under their community grants which enabled Empower Pacific to start plans and liaise with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in relation to the Unit’s construction.
FIJI Water Foundation director Semi Lotawa was filled with a profound sense of gratitude and hope, saying that it was the dawn of a new chapter for the Tavua community.
Mr Lotawa, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ Head of Wellness, Dr Devina Nand and Sub-Divisional Medical Officer Tavua Dr Renita Maharaj officially opened the new Tavua Health and Wellness Unit on January 8.
Dr Nand said she was extremely grateful to FIJI Water Foundation and Empower Pacific for coming forward and working together towards the successful construction of the Tavua Health and Wellness Unit.
“This is a great investment for the people of Tavua and I encourage all the Tavua community to take advantage of the clinic,” she said.
“It really is about keeping ourselves well and disease free. I hope the clinic will provide good awareness on health and mental health.”
Mr Lotawa said the inauguration of the Tavua Health and Wellness Unit was a testament of what can be achieved when everyone unites for a common purpose to uplift and empower others.
The unit embodies the FIJI Water Foundation’s dedication to fostering health and wellness, areas deeply rooted in its philanthropic philosophy.
“Our support for this initiative reflects the broader spectrum of our work at the FIJI Water Foundation,” said Mr Lotawa.
“We strive to create impactful changes in various thematic areas such as access to clean water, education and sustainable community development, always with a lens on health and wellness.
“This unit is a critical component of that vision, providing a sanctuary where our employees, their families, and the wider community in Tikina Naiyalayala and Yaqara Valley can receive the care they deserve.
“As we look ahead, let us remember that this Wellness Unit is more than just a building. It is a beacon of hope, a sanctuary for healing, and a place where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can find support and solace.”
Mr Lotawa said the journey does not end here, adding that it was the shared vision and relentless pursuit of wellness that would drive everyone forward.
“Together we will continue to break down barriers, build bridges and create a healthier, more resilient community.
“Let the Tavua Health and Wellness Unit be a place where every person can begin their journey to wellness with the knowledge that they are not alone.
“Indeed, the measure of a society is how it tends to its most vulnerable.”
Mr Lotawa said the measurable outcomes of the project were not just in the number of lives touched, but in the quality of care and support provided.
“The impact is profound – 5000 individuals will have direct access to mental health services, 500 will receive crucial medical supplies and a ripple effect will follow as each life improved is a beacon for others.
“The synergy between the FIJI Water Foundation, Empower Pacific and the Fiji Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services underscores the value of partnership in our collective well-being.
“Such collaborations enable us to pool our resources, knowledge and compassion to create solutions that serve the common good.
“It is through this unity of purpose that the FIJI Water Foundation’s focus on health and wellness finds its expression, not only in this project but in the many other thematic areas of its philanthropic work.”
Mr Lotawa said the FIJI Water Foundation’s commitment was also personal.
He said the Tavua Sub-Divisional Hospital stood as a pillar of health care for the FIJI Water employees and the partner community in Tikina Naiyalayala in the Yaqara valley.
“It is here, at this very hospital, where our people will always find care and comfort, where the health services provided are a testament to the enduring bond we share with this land and its people.
“As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that the true strength of our partnership lies not in the bricks and mortar but in the hearts and hands of those who will bring this Wellness Unit to life,” said Mr Lotawa.
Empower Pacific’s Tavua branch counsellor, Akene Lagilagi mans one of the office spaces in the Wellness Unit while medical staff use the other two rooms for their work on health.