THE Navua Hospital inpatient and birthing unit are closed, prompting health officials to refer patients to Suva’s CWM Hospital, the Ministry of Health said in a statement yesterday.
It attributed the situation to concerns over the hospital’s infrastructural integrity.
In March this year, The Fiji Times had reported that the maternity ward at Navua Hospital was deemed structurally weak, prompting the relocation of mothers and expectant mothers to the hospital’s administration block.
Permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr Jemesa Tudravu had said then that this was a temporary relocation.
He said the ministry was working on a long-term solution to restore the maternity ward and ensure a safe environment for mothers and newborns.
Yesterday, the ministry stated that the structural issues were first identified by staff in May this year and a decision was taken to close the building for infrastructure assessment and renovation works.
“As such, the maternity unit has been transferred to the administration block in the outpatient building,” the statement read.
“Patients that require inpatient care and obstetric services are referred to CWM Hospital.”
The ministry stated these changes had been communicated to members of the community.
“To date, an average of 15 deliveries are carried out each month at the hospital, while 289 border patients have been successfully stabilised, admitted, transferred, or discharged from the hospital.”
The ministry state it is working closely with the Ministry of Public Works and other partners on the assessment and repairs required at the hospital.
“Further assessments by engineers are expected in the coming weeks to ascertain the extent of the repairs required to bring the hospital back to full functioning.”
Despite these changes, Navua Hospital continued to provide primary health care services, emergency services, maternal and child health services, outpatient services, special outpatient services, radiology and laboratory services, physiotherapy, and dietetics, the ministry stated.
“Family planning and MCH clinics are operating from the old Navua Hospital.
“The Navua Hospital team continues to work with the broader community of Serua/Namosi and Beqa with the support of the offices of the provincial administrator and Roko Tui, the Bose ni Tikina and Bose ni Yasana to address the ongoing health needs of the community.”
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