Members of public can now access improved health care services following the commissioning today of new and state of the art medical equipment at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.
The Minster for Health Dr Sharma commissioned the new set of equipment and highlighted its importance in providing quality medical care to Fijians.
“Health systems reform and strengthening in the last five years has taken on monumental leaps in Fiji,” Dr Sharma said.
“We had fragile system in areas of Human Resources, Technology, Infrastructure and pharmaceutical and medical consumables supplies,” Dr Sharma said.
Government allocated $1.9 million for the Cytology Analyzer, Urology clinic, refurbished Oxfam Planning Clinic, New look maternity unit and a renovated hospital kitchen and mortuary.
Organisations including Digicel Fiji and the International Women’s Association also contributed to the renovation works carried out at the maternity unit and the Oxfam Planning clinic.
“Cancer Screening becomes more robust with the ability to screen 50,000 pap smears and introduction of the HPV vaccine will address the premature cancer disability and deaths among women,” Minister Sharma said.
He said that the new urology clinic with its modern Lithotripter is first of its kind for the region and a preferred method of removing kidney stones.
The awareness and support on Prostate Cancer has been made possible through the donation by a social group to the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile the Minister received a cheque donation to the sum of $14,420.10 from the Suva Golden Oldies Rugby Club to support the Ministry’s awareness program on prostate cancer.
Minister Sharma said that the generous contribution will be used by the Fiji National Neurology Centre which acts a wellness centre for men for the awareness through screenings on prostate cancer around Fiji.
“This is the first time for men in Fiji to become confident and seek advice at an early stage of the cancer. Also with the increase in the reported cases of prostate cancer, the scope for teaching, advocacy and support will encourage more man to be more health conscious,” Dr Sharma said.
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