THE government has developed protocols for patients and their relatives applying for financial assistance for overseas medical treatment.
It has been done through the Health Ministry.
Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said in an Information Ministry statement that after a diagnosis of a patient by the local specialist, patients were referred to the Medical Board for consideration of overseas treatment via a formal report.
The statement said the Medical Board and the Health Ministry would determine the level of financial support for the patient and relatives to determine whether they are in a position for partial payment or full payment.
Following a comprehensive assessment, the Health Ministry provides medical expenses for travels abroad while the relative of a patient has to make arrangements for air travel, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses.
In cases of kidney transplants, the ministry provides air travel costs while the relative or donor arranges funds for the transplant.
“However, patients and relatives need to be aware that a vast range of surgeries are undertaken in Fiji now,” said Dr Sharma.
The surgeries, which include rheumatic heart disease treatment, are done by visiting teams from Australia and New Zealand.
Doctors from Sahyadri Hospitals in India perform open heart surgery, orthopaedic and neuro surgeries.
“The need for overseas referrals has now reduced drastically in 2013 with a few cases being referred to New Zealand and India,” said Dr Sharma.
