GiftsPicture: to help locals
LAUTOKA Hospital received a gift of artificial limbs, a wheelchair, suture and theatre materials worth $5000 from the Rotary Club of Kogarah in New South Wales, Australia, according to an article by
The Fiji Times on November 20,1984.
The orthopaedic equipment were brought to Fiji by Sydney businessman Ray Judd, who looked after the administration of a trust fund at the rotary club.
The trust fund was created to help Fiji children who needed orthopaedic operation in Australia.
An Australian consultant orthopaedic surgeon, David Robuck was working in Fiji on orthopaedic cases so patients don’t have to travel to Australia for further treatment, according to The Times.
Speaking from Lautoka Hospital, Dr Robuck said money from the fund was being used to help hospitals in Fiji with equipment.
“The Rotary Club would give more surgical instruments and fixation devices which were use on broken bones, to hospitals in Fiji,” he said.
The report said the club would be giving training in Australia to a local prosthetist who made artificial limbs.
“They are also considering building a laboratory in Fiji for him to work in when he comes back.”
The first recipient of the wheelchair was Onisivoro Voka Drauniniu, 58, from Namuka, Bau in Tailevu who was unable to walk because of a spinal disease.
He was admitted to Lautoka Hospital, but his discharge process was delayed because of the unavailability of a wheelchair.
The rotary club would give more surgical instruments and fixation devices which we use on broken bones...
– Dr David Robuck