THE long wait and hassle of searching for medicine outside hospital gates ends today for thousands of patients in the Western Division, as the Ministry of Health and Medical Services officially launches its new prefabricated pharmacy at Lautoka Hospital.
The facility restores the “complete cycle” of care, ensuring patients no longer have to leave the hospital empty-handed to seek prescription drugs elsewhere.
Chief pharmacist Ilisabeta Pesamino confirmed the pharmacy would be fully staffed and operational from this morning.
“Tomorrow (today), we’ll roll out, we’ll be able to start dispensing prescriptions from here,” she said.
“For us, one of these facilities actually completes the procedure: the patient gets to see the doctor and can complete the cycle by having the medicines available as well within the facility.”
The pharmacy is run by a team of three — a pharmacist and two assistants—focused on maintaining consistent stock and service. Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association President Narayan Reddy welcomed the initiative.
“For some time, we had written letters to the Ministry of Health regarding this because people were frustrated going here and there to pick up their medication,” he said.
“Now it will be a one-stop shop, and we thank the ministry for listening to the pleas of the people.”
