There are multiple important medical problems to contend with in health care in Fiji and there are no easy or perfect solutions, says cardiologist Dr Vijay Kapadia.
He said heart disease management required great urgency in Fiji.
“I do feel that heart disease does require more urgency and input here because we are not only dealing with a very serious problem, which kills people, often young people, but we can also do so much for them,” he said.
“There is also the option of bypass surgery, which was being performed at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) by a very good Indian surgical team, but for some reason was later stopped, patients had to pay for it.”
He said he had provided models for bypass surgery to the Government frequently in the past.
“I have provided suggestions and plans as to how it could be started in Fiji. I have done so as part of my desire to contribute to heart disease management in Fiji.
“I believe that bypass surgery will be available in the country soon.
“I gather that significant resources could be given to other locations to develop major cardiac and medical facilities. This is good news.”
He said, however, there was a lot that already existed at the CWMH’s cardiac unit.
“And this, too, should be equally well-supported.
“Health care is looked at as a whole.
“We have not had a functioning cardiac treadmill at the CWMH for a few years, this is the most basic equipment in a hospital and in a cardiac unit.”
He said there was a cardiac unit at the CWMH which was the basis on which many other developments could take place and would be the ideal base for a heart bypass unit.
CWMH has had visiting cardiac teams perform valvular and congenital heart surgery for years.
“We must not forget that prevention and control of risk factors is the foundation of care for heart disease.
“Stenting and bypass surgery often are palliative procedures and do not necessarily improve prognosis, they have their role and must be used judiciously along with evidence-based guidelines.”
Dr Kapadia is currently in Fiji helping to restart the catheterisation cath lab at the CWMH cardiology department in Suva, which had not been operational for some time.
