THE Ministry of Health will act on lessons learned from the Lau sea ordeal, with Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa acknowledging the response comes only after the incident.
Responding to questions on why transport arrangements for health workers travelling to maritime communities had not been reviewed earlier, Mr Ravunawa said the ministry would now address the issues exposed by the incident.
“Although being reactive, it is better that we do something about it now to prevent a similar incident in the future,” he said.
Mr Ravunawa said the ordeal had exposed critical gaps and provided valuable lessons for the ministry.
“This incident has brought in a lot of learning lessons.”
He said Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu would brief Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on the incident and outline areas requiring urgent improvement.
“The minister is having a briefing with the Prime Minister to highlight some of the gaps and how we can improve looking after our staff who are serving in the maritime communities.”
Mr Ravunawa said the ministry was committed to ensuring health workers travelling to remote maritime areas had access to safer transport.
He said this was particularly important in the Lau Group, where islands are widely dispersed and health workers often travel long distances by sea to deliver essential services.
“It is important that we try and get a boat that is safe for them to be able to reach to their community in a safe manner.”
The six health workers were rescued after being stranded at sea for more than 30 hours while on an outreach program in the Lau Group.
Mr Ravunawa said the incident had provided an opportunity for the ministry to closely examine the challenges faced by staff delivering healthcare services to Fiji’s maritime communities.
Rescued health workers recover
THE six-member medical team rescued from Lau waters received medical treatment at Tamavua Twomey Hospital yesterday after returning to Viti Levu.
The team arrived at Nausori Airport from Lakeba on a chartered flight at about 2pm, where they were welcomed by Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu before being transported by ambulance to Twomey
Hospital for medical assessment and care.
The Fiji Times followed the medical team to the hospital but was instructed to leave the premises as medical protocols were in place.
Later, members of the medical and nursing fraternity gathered to honour their colleagues’ determination and reflect on their ordeal after they spent more than 30 hours at sea.
The service, themed Together in Faith, United in Prayer had originally been organised as a prayer gathering for the missing team.
However, by 3pm yesterday, it had become a thanksgiving service celebrating the safe return of the six survivors.
The opening prayer was led by Chaplain Dr Ledua Tamani and Senikuba Qolisese.
During the service, Dr Tamani said the medical team had given their best in serving communities in the Lau Group, and God had brought them home safely.
“We extend much gratitude to the boat master who held steady, the steadfast faith of those who prayed without ceasing, and above all, the Lord whose protection never fails,” Dr Tamani said
