The vessel “MLC Veivueti” that will operate as a floating, mobile hospital‑the first of its kind in Fiji has been officially commissioned by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.
While speaking at the commissioning of the ship at the Government Shipping Services Dock in Walubay, the Prime Minister says the ship is ‑ quite simply ‑ going to save Fijian lives.
Bainimarama says the new MLC Veivueti a great maritime milestone for Fiji at a cost of nearly 8 million dollars, the 46 metre ship is specifically designed and built to provide both primary and secondary medical services and rapid response to emergencies.
He adds that the Veivueti is equipped with state‑of‑the‑art tools like ventilator machines and medical lasers to treat serious eye complications and can be quickly deployed to arrive and host an emergency procedure.
Bainimarama says the vessel will also be an invaluable tool for the medical training of healthcare workers in some of Fiji's most remote islands.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that the Veivueti vessel will be constantly moving adding that its current schedule consists of 10 week‑long trips, through which over 10,000 patients from the far reaches of Fiji are expected to be treated annually.
Meanwhile the Prime Minister also officially opened a new home for the Department of Government Shipping Services.
Bainimarama highlighted that the newly‑constructed office and warehouse building will house the Department of Government Shipping Services at a total cost of 3.6 million dollars and will provide a conducive environment to enable them to provide government shipping services with renewed vigour.
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