A family is mourning the tragic loss of their six-month-old son, Samisoni Vana Ratuvou, affectionately known as Yaca, who died from dehydration that they attribute to inadequate medical care. According to a relative’s social media post, Yaca became ill with diarrhea on a Sunday and the family sought immediate medical attention at Qarani Health Centre the following morning, only to find the facility closed due to a water supply disruption.
The family reported that no proper examination was conducted, and the only treatment offered was two bottles of Panadol. This lack of adequate response left them to return to their village. Yaca’s health rapidly declined throughout the day, culminating in shortness of breath by the evening. The family returned to Qarani Health Centre around 11 PM, desperate to save their son, but they described the care received as “extremely poor.”
A postmortem examination later confirmed dehydration as the cause of death, prompting the family to express their deep frustration over the incident. They emphasized that timely medical intervention could have potentially saved Yaca’s life. “Our hearts are shattered with grief, pain, and unanswered questions. This should never have happened,” a family member stated.
In response to this devastating experience, the family is calling on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to urgently enhance the quality of healthcare facilities, staffing levels, resources, and emergency services, especially in remote areas like Gau. “Every life matters. Access to proper health care is not a privilege; it is a basic right,” they implored, urging the authorities to take measures ensuring that no other family has to endure such a tragedy.
This heartbreaking situation underscores the critical need for improvements in healthcare accessibility and quality, particularly in underserved communities, so that families can receive the timely medical support they deserve.