A FORMER Fiji resident living in Australia who helped establish the first-ever dialysis unit at the Lautoka Hospital said he wanted to ensure ordinary Fijians had access to Australian standard treatment.

Ilyas Yaseen, a technician with extensive experience at the Royal Northshore Hospital in New South Wales, said he felt compelled to assist people with renal issues during a visit to the country in 2011.

Together with his partner Valerie Palmer and Rotary Australia, he acquired five dialysis machines worth $320,000 and installed them in the Lautoka and Labasa hospitals.

“We are trying to maintain an Australian standard of service in the way treatment is delivered to patients at the hospital,” he said.

“The machines that we have set up at the Lautoka Hospital are among the most modern in the region.

“They have a six-stage filtration system and we believe that a lot of people will be assisted with these machines.”

Lautoka Hospital medical superintendent Dr Luisa Cikamatana Rauto acknowledged the assistance offered by Mr Yaseen and his partner.

“At the present time, the dialysis treatment will only be offered to patients in the Intensive Care Unit,” Dr Rauto said.

“Once we have the systems in place and completed the training required, we will offer this service to outpatients.”