Good news as Fiji now has an Audiology Centre at the CWM Hospital which will give medical professionals the ability to spot hearing problems early and to manage treatment in an efficient way.
The Audiology Centre has been fully funded by Republic of Korea through the Korea International Corporation Agency.
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama who officiated at the event today says 80,000 Fijians have some kind of hearing impairment and this is nearly 10 percent of the population.
He says half of them have a hearing impairment that can be considered a disability where it makes it more difficult for these people to do certain activities.
Bainimarama says they will now have a much better ability to spot hearing impairments early and treat them effectively.
He says this is the first Audiology Centre in a public hospital in Fiji and any Fijian who suspects they have hearing problems can receive a free hearing test at CWM Hospital.
Meanwhile, Bainimarama also visited refurbished paying rooms.
Two of the paying rooms have been sponsored by Mere Samisoni through Naulumatua Foundation Trust and James Ah Koy through Kelton Marketing Limited.
The other four paying rooms have been sponsored by CWM Hospital Board of Visitors.
Bainimarama adds small bures have also been installed around the hospital to give patients, relatives, visitors and hospital staff places to rest and a peace garden will also provide a place for patients to sit and walk and get fresh air. He says this project was done with support from the private sector.
