It is disgraceful that ordinary Fijians with heart conditions have to contend with critical equipment at the CWM Hospital that is not working – Ali

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator and Human rights activist Shamima Ali says it is disgraceful that ordinary Fijians with heart conditions have to contend with critical equipment at the CWM Hospital that is not working, while the Prime Minister and Attorney General can jet off to the world’s best medical facilities for cardio treatment.

Ali says they always talk about leaving no Fijian behind, but the reality of the matter is every Fijian gets left behind when it comes to access to quality health care.

She further says they wish Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama a speedy recovery but it is absolutely outrageous that the Permanent Secretary for Health says, almost as an afterthought, that the angiogram and cath lab at CWM Hospital is not working and says the machine will be coming in the “next few days.”

Ali adds these are critical machines that help identify blockages in the heart.

She says where is our preparedness, why don’t we have back up or spare parts for this equipment.

Ali also says they want our PM to get well and they feel sorry for him but they feel for the people who do not have access to the cardiac care facility here in Fiji.

We have sent questions to the Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and are awaiting his response.