Public health care received a timely boost with the introduction of a new Radiology equipment for the Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s Radiology Department in Suva.
The new equipment will see more efficient service by health officers.
Health Minister, Dr Neil Sharma said the ministry will always strive to provide the best services for the people.
This is also in line with Pillar 4 and Pillar 10 of he Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, which calls for enhancing public sector efficiency, performance, effectiveness and service delivery and the improvement of health service delivery through resources.
Dr Sharma said it was about time that Fiji moved forward with modern technology with the rest of the world.
“Fiji is the first Pacific Island Country to embrace digital technology. The Fiji health reform process introduced in 2009 is materialising now as we install these unit in Suva,” he said.
He said other hospitals around the country would also be benefiting from the new work radiology stations.
“We will also see the installation of CAT Scanners shortly in Lautoka and Labasa very shortly.
“Technological changes are the pre-requisite of improved care and patient centeredness we aim to provide through changes in workflow and service delivery,” Dr Sharma said.
The Minister thanked Shimadzu and EBOS for donating two additional CR Units and a workstation to the CWM hospital.
He said the drawback factor for not installing modern equipments earlier was because of the high costs associated with it.
“The major drawback is its initial installation costs, however, worthwhile investments no longer come free. The benefits that the new technology promises out way the initial costs. These benefits include expanded capabilities as well as higher throughput and costs efficiencies.
The future looks bright as he promises more in the health care sector.
“In the near future, developments in networking and a PACS system will be put in place to assist in the transfer of images between the three base hospitals and overseas referral centre,” Dr Sharma said.