MEREANI GONEDUA
It was all smiles in the village of Nabukeru in the Yasawa Group for more than 200 Fijians, who previously had to travel by boat to seek medical assistance, at the opening of their new nursing station.
The nursing station which will cater for three villages namely Tamusua, Nabukeru and Navutoa was officially opened by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during a recent visit to Yasawa.
Apart from the nursing station, Prime Minister Bainimarama also witnessed the commissioning of a new solar freezer in Tamusua by the Minister for Defence Inia Seruiratu, the opening of a new canteen for the Tamusua Women’s Group by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa including the commissioning of a new boat for the Kese Nursing Station by Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete.
Speaking on behalf of the vanua Mr Matai acknowledged the Fijian Government for its timely assistance in helping rebuild the nursing station.
“Villagers and children will now be able to live in peace knowing that they do not have to travel by boat again to find medical assistance as it is now just a few steps away from their home.
“Thank you for listening to our requests and bringing such needed services to our doorsteps. It has taken some time to get to where we are but we are thankful and grateful to know that our plea did not go to waste.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bainimarama highlighted that the $300,000 project will have an immediate impact on the health of the communities it serves –– some 258 people from the three villages including the children of the nearby primary school.
“Now, with a facility to call your own, any discouragement or delay that you previously experienced is in the past. You have the convenience of a nursing station that will provide services and health monitoring with ease –– so don’t let it go to waste.
“Take advantage of this newfound access by taking ownership over your health and well-being. Use this new station as an opportunity to change the way you think about health-care.
“As Fijians, you all have every right to tap into my Government’s universal health coverage –– coverage that is granted to all Fijians, not just those living in our towns and cities.”