There has been an increase in the number of Fijians accessing medical services offered at the Fiji Emergency Medical Assistance Team (FEMAT) Field Hospital in Nadovu, Lautoka since it began operations on May 9.
FEMAT head Dr Luke Nasedra said they followed proper protocols and made sure they assessed people before attending to them.
“We have started to note the increase in the number of people coming to access services in the facility at least on a daily basis,” he said.
“When we started on Sunday, May 9, we saw only three patients and on Monday (May 10) it jumped up to 31, and by Friday (May 14) we saw 75 patients. “The numbers keep increasing and we understand because it’s a new thing for Fiji.”
Dr Nasedra said they understood there could be an element of fear in people visiting the field hospital because they were walking into a tent rather than into a physical building.
“We know our limitations but we make sure that we are aware of what’s happening outside our facility and we have regular updates with Lautoka Hospital and all the subdivisional hospitals in the West.
“I have seen quite a lot people coming into the facility and I think they hear by word of mouth, people initially do not know what is happening and what it’s like so they try out what it’s like to be seen in this kind of hospital.”
The FEMAT Field Hospital and the MV Veivueti were activated to support healthcare management strategies within the Lautoka containment area.
