As part of efforts to improve healthcare access, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is planning to upgrade selected nursing stations into health centres and relocate some facilities to new sites.
This was highlighted by Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, who says the Ministry has received budgetary allocation that will be used for initial preparatory work for the upgrades and relocations.
He says nursing stations must meet certain criteria before they can be upgraded, including population needs, geographical isolation, and the capacity needed to provide services.
Dr Lalabalavu says health centres are classified into three levels- A, B and C and upgrades will depend on the level of services required in each area.
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He adds that some nursing stations have already been upgraded into health centres, including Kadavu Nursing Station, Galoa Nursing Station in Serua, Naboubuco Nursing Station in the interior of Naitasiri, Lomaivuna and Namara Nursing Stations.
He says the Ministry is also planning new nursing stations in areas such as Lau, where access to health services is currently limited between existing facilities.
The Minister says some nursing stations will also be relocated, including Tokaimalo and Nausori Highlands Nursing Stations, with preparatory works to begin.
He says future upgrades will ensure facilities have adequate living quarters, storage capacity for medicines, and the necessary infrastructure to support improved healthcare delivery.
