National Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Plan for Fiji will improve access to surgeries - PM

In an effort to improve access to surgeries, medical professionals have come together today to develop the National Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Plan for Fiji.

While speaking at the first ever Nationwide Stakeholders Consultation on the plan, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says this plan will improve the lives of Fijians.

Bainimarama says our infrastructure to deliver this kind of care is better then most developing countries, but they want to improve it.

He says the survey conducted in 2017 revealed that 67 percent of our population can access specialist surgical care within two hours from their homes.

Bainimarama says we have 5.4 surgeons and surgical support personnel per 100,000 people.

He says our mortality rate related to surgeries was .8% and he expects these indicators to have improved over the years.

Chief Surgeon of the Ministry for Health, Dr Josese Turagava says this plan will help them in saving more lives while conducting surgeries for more people.

Dr Turagava says having all the heads of medical fields in the consultation will enhance their preparation for the National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan for Fiji.