June dive expedition pleased with new decompression unit
More travellers are expected to arrive in the country for dive destinations, following the launch of a new decompression chamber.
Tourism Fiji chief executive officer, Brent Hill, said the launch of the $650,000 unit was long awaited news.
“While we hope it is very rarely used, the dive community has long championed the need for a decompression chamber,” he said.
“This now provides a level of safety and assurance in Fiji that is so important to the very strong dive tourism sector.
“It is a great day.
“Some divers may not have come just out of safety precautions.
“But now with that barrier removed, they can feel very safe and reassured that there will be no issues.”
Denver-based nature photographer, diver and frequent visitor to Fiji, Paddy Ryan, of Colorado, United States of America, is leading a dive expedition
to Fiji next month.
Members of the 10-day tour are from New York state, California, Melbourne, Australia, Mexico, and Denver.
Ministry of Health
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services installed a new hyperbaric chamber at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, in Suva.
It will also serve the interests of Fijians who dive for a living.
“We have a robust tourism industry,” Health minister,
Ifereimi Waqainabete said.
“This chamber increases confidence that treatment is available.
“The hyperbaric chamber is going through its final stage of installation.”
Purchased three years ago, the installation could not be completed at the time because of COVID-19 related lockdowns.
“We also use it to help people with chronic illness like diabetic patients.”