THE Health Ministry will consider compensation for the six medical workers stranded at sea last week only after they have fully recovered from the ordeal.
Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu shared this yesterday saying the ministry’s immediate focus remained on the well-being of the medical team, with one member already discharged from hospital and travelling back to Lakeba.
He said the final patient was returning by boat because she was unable to travel by air.
“She cannot travel by plane, what I’ve been told is she’s claustrophobic,” Dr Lalabalavu said. “So she was stable and now travelling. And I believe they should be receiving her today or Saturday. They’re all doing well.”
Dr Lalabalavu said the recovery process had been gradual after the team spent nearly 36 hours stranded at sea.
“It’s slowly recovering. And I have asked the team at Tamavua Twomey Hospital to ensure that they have proper rest when they need and limited visitation as much as possible.
“The condition when they got in the mainland, being out at sea for nearly 36 hours, they had muscular pains and minor injuries.”
He also clarified that he had not discussed the incident with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, saying their meeting last week focused on broader issues affecting the health sector.
Meanwhile, Dr Lalabalavu guaranteed the delayed salary payment affecting one of the six medical workers would be addressed in the next pay cycle.
He said he would discuss the matter with the relevant division to ensure the payment was made in full.
