Weather is a determining factor between life & death when villagers of Galoa Island in Bua seek medical care

The weather has been a determining factor between life and death when villagers of Galoa in Bua seek medical care.

This was highlighted by the villagers to the Minister for Health Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete during his 7-day tour of the Northern Division visiting communities in several medical zones.

Doctor Waqainabete has now assured the villagers of Galoa that a nursing station will be built on the island to serve Galoa, Tavea and Yaqaga as the 3 islands are serviced by the Lekutu Health Centre on the mainland.

He assured the Galoa villagers that his officers will work on the proposal and their request for a nursing station will be realised soon.

Galoa villager, Tevita Vukavuka says travelling to the mainland during bad weather is a challenge as it is quite dangerous.

Vukavuka says they also have a school that caters for the children of the three islands.

Sister Elenoa Vatalebola of the Nabouwalu Hospital, while briefing the Minister, highlighted that water access was an issue that prevented the materialisation of the nursing station.

Vatalebola says they now have water that comes from the mainland and the building of a new nursing station will ease the burden on the people of Galoa, Tavea and Yaqaga.

During his tour, Doctor Waqainabete also took time out to explain to the villagers the importance of cleanliness and how it will stop the spread of diseases such as dengue fever and leptospirosis.

The Minister also confirmed that they have provided over 835 portable field latrines in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Kadavu.