HEALTH workers at the Savusavu Hospital on Vanua Levu are operating under heavy strain as they battle congestion, limited space and ageing infrastructure while keeping services running for the people of Cakaudrove.
Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa said this was shared directly with him by staff during his visit to the hospital last week.
“They shared concerns regarding heavy workloads, congestion, physical workspace limitations, and the ongoing strain of working in compromised infrastructure conditions,” he said.
He told this newspaper the ministry would now move quickly on several fronts, including staff deployment for temporary relief where manpower was stretched.
Mr Ravunawa said urgent infrastructure and equipment needs would be escalated to the ministry’s central planning and capital works teams for action.
He also said congestion across key service areas at the hospital had become a major worry, adding the emergency department, outpatients, laboratory, radiology, dietetics, pharmacy, and records were all operating under heavy strain.
“Significant congestion observed in these areas include the surgical outpatient department.”
Apart from congestion, he said there were complaints about roof leakages in certain areas of the hospital.
“We also noted roof leakage, and this will be addressed under minor works scheduled to commence soon, especially given the current rainy season.”
He said the maternity and general wards also had their own needs.
However, Mr Ravunawa said any major renovation and expansion would remain on hold because of the landslide that recently damaged part of the hospital grounds.
