Families will not have to face the burden of travelling long distances or even overseas for advanced cardiac procedures or specialised diagnostic imaging as a cutting-edge Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab), an advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Suite and a dedicated Fast Track Bed Unit in the Emergency Department have been opened at the Lautoka Hospital.
While speaking at the opening, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says from now on, more people will have access to life-saving cardiac interventions and world-class imaging right here, at home.
He says distance and cost should no longer be barriers to timely quality care.
Professor Prasad says the new Cath Lab will allow them to diagnose and treat complex heart conditions earlier, reducing complications and saving lives.
He says the MRI Suite means faster and more accurate diagnosis for many conditions, giving our doctors the critical information they need to plan better treatment.
The Deputy Prime Minister says with the Fast Track Beds in the Emergency Department, patients with less severe conditions can be seen quickly, easing congestion and improving care for everyone.
He says this is not just about equipment and infrastructure, but about people — the patients, families and dedicated nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals who work so hard every day.
Professor Prasad says these new facilities give them the tools and environment they need to deliver the care people deserve.
He stresses that this is not the end, but a part of a broader plan to build a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Fiji.
Professor Prasad adds they know there is more to do — more specialists to train, more facilities to maintain, and more to ensure that no Fijian is left behind, wherever they live.
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