Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
5 April, 2026, 5:28 am
Central - 22°C Rain
5 April, 2026, 5:28 am Central - 22°C Rain

COVID-19 forced us to look at providing overseas medical treatment in countries like Malaysia, Thailand or Hong Kong – Fiji Care

COVID-19 forced us to look at providing overseas medical treatment in countries like Malaysia, Thailand or Hong Kong – Fiji Care

By Rashika Kumar
01/12/2020
Chairman for Fiji Care Insurance, Avinesh Raju. [Image: Fijian Government]

Chairman for Fiji Care Insurance, Avinesh Raju says the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to look at providing overseas medical treatment for clients in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand or Hong Kong because of challenges in sending patients to countries like New Zealand, Australia and India.

He says 60% of their revenue comes from medical insurance.

Raju has highlighted that about 15 patients were sent overseas for treatment last year to countries like New Zealand, Australia and Asian countries mainly India but this year, no one has been sent for overseas treatment because Australia is not accepting any patients and New Zealand is only accepting emergency cases.

He adds another reason they are looking at countries such as Malaysia, Thailand or Hong Kong is because of high cost of flights.

The Chairman says this has also forced them to look at other options such as telemedicine where there is software that is coming up as well as diagnostic tools and they are piloting this with their clients.

Raju adds that they do not want to reduce their costs at the expense of their future revenue and they want to capitalise on opportunities that arise from this crisis.

He has also highlighted that they are also working with the clients and allowing them flexibility in terms of their premium payments.

FEATURE NEWS
Davuilevu residents raise alarm over flooding linked to nearby development
Residents of Mataika Road in Davuilevu Housing are raising concerns over repeated flooding, which they say is being caused by nearby subdivision devel...
13 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Immanuel urges unity and resilience this Easter amid economic challenges
Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel is urging Fijians to embrace unity, resilience, and hope as the nation marks Easter. In his Easter message, Immanuel ...
11 hours ago

Fiji to host Pre-COP meeting ahead of COP31 in Antalya
Fiji is set to host a high-level Pre-COP meeting in 2026, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Antalya in ...
11 hours ago

Farmers to receive $68.04 per tonne after third cane payment top-up
Good news for sugarcane farmers as they will receive a total of $68.04 per tonne for the 2025 cane season after the third cane payment, as confirmed ...
11 hours ago

Davuilevu residents raise alarm over flooding linked to nearby development
Residents of Mataika Road in Davuilevu Housing are raising concerns over repeated flooding, which they say is being caused by nearby subdivision ...
13 hours ago

PRF raises growing public concern over proposed Vuda Waste-to-Energy project
Growing concern and anxiety are being raised by members of the public over the proposed Waste-to-Energy project at Vuda Point, with the Pacific ...
15 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH

Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
30 days ago

TOP