REMARKS BY THE MINISTER FOR COMMERCE, TRADE, TOURISM AND TRANSPORT HON. FAIYAZ KOYA AT THE LAUNCH OF THE “HEALTH RADIOLOGY CENTRE”

President of Fiji College of General Practitioners, Dr Rajesh Maharaj,
Director of Health Radiology Centre, Dr Amitesh Raj,
Manager of Health Radiology Centre, Mr Amendra Raj,
Invited Guests,
Members of the Media,
 
Ladies and Gentleman,
A very good evening to all. I am delighted to be with everyone here at the Official Launch of Health Radiology Centre.
 
Let me say how pleased I am to see you here this evening to support Dr Amitesh Raj – a young Fijian at heart. This high level of interest truly reflects the importance of acknowledging Dr Raj’s accomplishments and that of his team.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am told, Health Radiology Centre will provide private radiology services to Fijians along the Korovou to Nabua corridor – a great provision for professional radiology services for everyone to access.
 
Radiology is one of the central nodes of any healthcare system. The way the radiology community has risen to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic truly champions our presence and support to grow Radiology in Fiji.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the pandemic, timely and accurate interpretation of radiographs played a vital front-line role in the diagnosis, grading and triaging of patients before their COVID-19 PCR test results were confirmed.
 
This meant, Fijian radiologists had to quickly prepare an approach, manage change and sustain its outcomes – clad in full PPEs, making it quite the challenge for radiologists. Nonetheless, we have all persevered and come anew.
 
The impacts of the pandemic are complex right now, and its impacts will continue to be complex as we enter a new post-COVID era. Inevitably, our vulnerable citizens will continue to require healthcare — increasing the demand for more imaging needs.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
They say the health and wealth of our people is the health and wealth of our economy. So when we elevate our services — be it education or health — we are directly contributing to the economy. And its modern services like today that help build a healthy Fiji.
 
I believe that the radiology community will continue to be leaders in innovation, striving for medical excellence and ensuring value-driven healthcare.

On this note, I would like to commend Dr Amitesh Raj, for his dedication and commitment as a young Fijian making his dreams a reality. I wish Dr Raj and the team of Health Radiology Centre well in their new beginning.
 
Thank you very much and Vinaka Vakalevu.