The people of Taveuni will no longer need to make costly and time-consuming trips to Labasa or Savusavu for basic X-ray services following the commissioning of a new digital X-ray machine at Taveuni Hospital.
The new state-of-the-art, floor-mounted digital X-ray machine was officially commissioned by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, at the hospital.
The machine is the first advanced digital floor-mounted X-ray unit of its kind in the Northern Division.
The commissioning also marked the completion of renovations and upgrades to the Taveuni Hospital Radiology Room, which were funded by the Australian Government under the Vuvale Partnership.
The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the Australian Government's support in helping to establish a modern and safer radiology facility for the people of Taveuni.
With the new equipment, patients can now access vital diagnostic services closer to home, reducing the need for expensive and lengthy travel to other parts of Vanua Levu.
The digital system is expected to provide faster results by eliminating delays associated with traditional film processing, allowing health workers to diagnose conditions and begin treatment sooner.
The machine also comes with Artificial Intelligence software designed to assist doctors and other medical professionals in identifying health conditions with greater accuracy.
It provides high-quality digital images while reducing patients' exposure to radiation compared with older imaging systems.
The Ministry says qualified personnel will be deployed to Taveuni to operate and maintain the machine on a full-time basis.
The new service is expected to improve access to diagnostic care and strengthen healthcare delivery for people in Taveuni and surrounding maritime communities.
