Expecting mothers now have another option as to where they will be delivering their babies after the opening of the new $350,000 Birthing Unit facility at the Oceania Hospital in Suva.
Oceania Hospital CEO Murgessan Pillay says the service will cost from $3,500 for normal birth to up to $10,000 for births through caesarean delivery.
He say they intend to invest in total $500,000 as they plan to have more equipment.
Oceania Hospital Board Chairman and leading obstetrician and gynecologist in Fiji, Doctor Wame Baravilala says the new birthing facility consists of two maternity units, a new Labour Intensive Care Unit as well as single and shared ward rooms to care for mothers and their babies.
He says they have a team of midwives who have the relevant skills and experience to manage normal pregnancy, labour and delivery.
Dr. Baravilala says everything about this new facility is designed to make mothers more comfortable and they aim to provide the best possible care for mothers and their babies at an affordable price.
While speaking at the opening of the Unit, Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says the CWM Hospital and the Oceania are working very closely in supporting each other whether it be in diagnostics or patient care.
He hopes this will help some government doctors evolve a little bit more in the patient engagement space.
Dr. Fong says he has been told that there are further engagements on staff development and training programmes that will support each other both in the public and the private health section space.
He adds in preparation for the Birthing Unit, some of Oceania Hospital midwives did come across the CWM Hospital to strengthen their skills and adds these type of symbiotic relationships need to be encouraged.
