Labasa Hospital has successfully settled a significant debt owed to a private hospital for CT scan services, as confirmed by its medical superintendent, Dr. Jaoji Vulibeci. He stated, “We’ve already paid what we owed.”
For over two years, patients from Labasa have been referred to the private facility for CT scans due to the hospital’s scanner being out of operation. However, complications have risen as the private hospital has ceased accepting local purchase orders (LPOs). Dr. Vulibeci noted, “They stopped accepting our LPOs, but we’re still waiting for a formal letter from them. Right now, they’re just saying they’ve stopped, nothing in writing.” As a result, some patients must now travel to Suva for scans, leading to additional costs, including airfares, meals, and accommodations for those requiring overnight stays.
Despite these challenges, it remains possible for Labasa patients to receive CT scans at the private facility, albeit at their own expense. This situation has heightened concern among residents, particularly as previous reports highlighted that the Health Ministry halted coverage for CT scans at private hospitals to address outstanding debts, significantly increasing financial burdens on individuals who must now pay upwards of $600 for these necessary services.
The ongoing struggles are compounded by infrastructure issues at Labasa Hospital, where a new CT scan machine remains non-operational due to outdated electrical systems. A commitment to upgrade the electrical system is underway in collaboration with Energy Fiji Ltd and the Public Works Department, with the hope that these enhancements will ultimately restore essential services at the hospital and alleviate the financial pressures on local patients.
Community leaders, as well as members of the government, echo this sentiment, emphasizing the urgent need for improvements to the healthcare infrastructure in Labasa. This potential for refurbishments and upgrades presents a hopeful outlook for the future of medical services in the area, enhancing accessibility and quality for residents in need of medical imaging.