3 new medical facilities opened last year while three more facilities are being worked on - Akbar

The Health Minister has revealed that three new medical facilities were opened last year while three more facilities are being worked on.

Minister Rosy Akbar says the newly opened facilities include the upgraded Lautoka Emergency Department, Makoi Maternity Unit and Waimaro Health Centre in Ra.

Akbar says the Lautoka Emergency Department was developed through the allocation of $16 million from the Ministry of Health budget to expand and upgrade the Lautoka Accidents and Emergency Department.

She says since its opening last year the facility has assisted nearly 4,000 patients in surgical and dental services.

Akbar says the $7.3 million Makoi Maternity Unit was a much awaited facility for women and children not only for the Suva - Nausori corridor but for the whole nation.

She says the new facility has the ability to provide Ante Natal and Post Natal clinics and will relieve congestion in the CWM Hospital as currently there are 8,500 deliveries done in CWM.

She says the low risk birthing unit should be able to manage about 800 deliveries a year serving mothers from the greater Nasinu area, Valelevu, Nakasi and referrals from other centres will be able to make use of the facility.

Akbar says there are plans to commence full birthing services for low risk mothers as the second phase of service development for the new maternity unit by the end of June this year.

She says the maternal death ratio data has fallen from 39.2% for the 2011 and 2013 period to 30.9 percent live births in the 2013-2015 period.