People are requested to visit their nearest health facilities for general outpatient services as these services will not be available at the CWM Hospital after hours.
The Health Ministry says the decision was made to stabilize the hospital's operations and ensure that they make the best use of available resources at the hospital as the department has continued to receive non-emergency cases after the normal operating hours from 8am to 4pm.
They say to ensure the smooth running of hospital operations, they request the public to visit their nearest health facilities after hours, as has always been the practice. The Ministry adds this will give CWM Hospital staff the time to focus on emergency cases that require immediate attention.
They hope this will be a short-term temporary measure and look forward to the public’s understanding and cooperation in this matter.
However FijiFirst MP and Opposition Health Spokesperson, Penioni Ravunawa says the closure of outpatient services at CWM Hospital's emergency department, poses a risk to those living around it’s vicinity and detrimental to the WHO's health accessibility goals.
Ravunawa is calling on the coalition government to maintain these services, as they are essential given Fiji's economic challenges.
He says the continuity of services closer to residents is vital, particularly amid rising living costs and social issues.
Ravunawa says the success of FijiFirst's initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, like the free GP scheme, demonstrated the benefits of decentralized healthcare.
He says strengthening and supporting these public-private partnerships is crucial to sustain accessibility and relieve the burden on the public health system.
He adds it's essential to thoroughly assess the situation before final decisions are made by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to ensure continued healthcare access for vulnerable Fijians.
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