Medical facilities have enough ambulance services: Akbar
The ministry recently received 18 vehicles from the Peoples Republic of China and they were distributed last week.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar says the ministry has enough ambulance services equipped for the new health facilities.
Ms Akbar was responding to questions raised by Opposition NFP Leader Biman Prasad, who asked if the medical facilities had enough ambulance vehicles because there were a number of issues on shortage of ambulance services.
He cited the services at Korovou Health Centre in Tailevu as an example.
Ms Akbar said the ministry recently received 18 ambulance vehicles from the Peoples Republic of China and they were distributed last week.
She said as part of Government’s fleet there were 44 vehicles and some needed maintenance.
The ministry also works with the Saint Johns Brigade, Fiji Corrections Services and the National Fire Authority (NFA) to assist with ambulance services. Meanwhile, Ms Akbar said some health facilities opened last year and to date includes: 1) Lautoka Emergency Department and new $16million operating theatres opened in July 2017. This was in response to the significant increase in accident and emergency cases and general outpatient cases.
Assisted nearly 4000 patients last year since opening.
2) $7.3m Makoi Maternity Hospital opened on February 16 this year to assist with maternal care services to the population of Makoi and surrounding communities in Nasinu.
The unit can manage 800 deliveries in a year.
3) Waimaro Health Centre in Ra opened on March 28th, a unique designed facility. It was a nursing station damaged during TC Winston.
4) Nakasi Health Centre to be opened in a couple of months. 5) Extension of Koro Island Health Centre to be opened in June this year.