AN open-body surgery at the CWM Hospital was temporarily abandoned on Monday as a result of a sudden power outage that left the operating theatre in complete darkness.
Visiting paediatric surgeon Dr Neil Price from the Melbourne Children’s Hospital described the scene as “pitch black”.
The incident has prompted CWM Hospital general and chief pediatric surgeon Dr Josese Turagava to express his disappointment at the condition of the hospital, saying the pressure at the hospital has intensified.
“On the power outage on Monday, because that was during the hurricane time,” Dr Turagava said.
“The power went off while we were operating and when something like that happens, a back-up generator has to come on automatically.
“We waited for more than 20 minutes until I decided to call the SDMO (senior divisional medical officer) to send someone to turn it on.”
Dr Turagava described the incident as “disappointing” and unacceptable for Fiji’s main referral hospital.
“If this is happening in our main tertiary hospital, you can imagine what smaller hospitals and island clinics are facing.”
The power failure comes as CWM Hospital struggles with ongoing resource shortages, including non-functional operating theatres and staffing challenges.
Dr Turagava noted that while the Health Ministry had initially received $15million in funding — among other funding from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for hospital improvements — little progress had been seen.
“It’s already been two years, and while I understand that change doesn’t happen overnight, how long will we be waiting.
“We still have four operating theatres that need urgent repairs.
“We are still struggling.”
Attempts to get a comment from Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu and permanent secretary Dr Jemesa Tudravu were unsuccessful.
