Navua Hospital will not be converted into a quarantine unit for other nations - PS Health

The Ministry of Health says they are taking proactive, preventative measures namely identifying and preparing a number of isolation facilities throughout Fiji in order to safely contain any suspected or confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus in the country.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Bernadette Welch says these precautionary steps are being guided by the World Health Organisation and similar preventative measures are being undertaken around the world to prevent outbreaks of the coronavirus.

Welch says as part of this undertaking, preventative isolation units in the Western, Central and Northern divisions are being prepared.

She says Nadi Hospital and the Navua Hospital have already had isolation wards established.

Welch says the Ministry wishes to dispel counterproductive and fear-inducing rumours that have spread about their ongoing preparations at Navua Hospital.

She says there are no planes of coronavirus positive foreign nationals en route to Fiji, and Navua Hospital will not be converted into a quarantine unit for other nations.

She says this is a routine, precautionary measure taken in line with best practices adding no risk is posed to residents in Navua.

Welch adds in fact, the presence of the isolation unit means the risk of a coronavirus outbreak is dramatically reduced.

Welch says the Ministry is deeply concerned to see certain individuals abuse their position to exploit, rather than condemn, false information being spread about the Navua Hospital.

She adds this sort of interference in the Ministry’s work impedes their ability to mitigate the risk posed by COVID-19 to the Fijian people.

Minister for Health, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete has also said Fiji would never do anything that will put the lives of Fijians at risk.

He says they are not transferring services to the old Navua Hospital.

Meanwhile, SODELPA MP, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua has started a petition saying the proposed decision by the Government to declare the new Navua Hospital a Coronavirus Quarantine Centre and relocate the Navua Hospital to its old site has sent down shivers to the spine of the people of Serua, Namosi and Navua.

He says the proposed move is likely to not only jeopardize public health but fear away investors and tourists from Navua for a long period of time having a perilous effect on the already dormant Navua economy.

Ratu Suliano says that they also oppose the transfer of health care and medical services for the people of the region to the old Navua Hospital.