Urgent need to have a pacemaker service at CWM Hospital – Dr Kapadia
Visiting team awaits Govt’s confirmation if it will approve the purchase of 100 pacemakers

Urgent need to have a pacemaker service at CWM Hospital – Dr Kapadia

Visiting team awaits Govt’s confirmation if it will approve the purchase of 100 pacemakers

By Vijay Narayan
Wednesday 05/10/2022
General and Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Vijay Kapadia

A General and Interventional Cardiologist based at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Australia and former Fiji resident, Doctor Vijay Kapadia who grew up in Amy Street in Suva, says there is an urgent need to have a pacemaker service at CWM Hospital to ensure that we save more lives.

While speaking on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan, Doctor Kapadia says they have managed to get the cheapest price for pacemakers, and they have made the request for 100 pacemakers, which Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong is now trying to get funding for.

Doctor Kapadia recently came in with a pacemaker team from New Zealand.

The pacemaker service here is based on Doctor Fiona Riddell from New Zealand and they have been trying to take things further.

Doctor Kapadia says there are many aspects of heart diseases – heart attacks, stenting, medication and by-pass surgeries.

He says the pacemakers are small devices connected to the heart for rhythm disturbances of the heart.

The cardiologist says Doctor Riddell has been coming since 2001 and her contributions to the people of Fiji has been amazing.

He also says the need has always been about 300 pacemakers in Fiji but about 7 to 8 were being done by visiting teams.

Doctor Riddell has now got pacemaker companies to donate 30 to 40 pacemakers for the people of Fiji a year but the other pacemakers have to be purchased by the government.

A concerned Doctor Kapadia says he had a similar arrangement for pacemakers in 2017 for more Fijians but nothing came through from the powers that be.

In response for the urgent purchase of the 100 pacemakers, Doctor Fong says they are working on the 100 pacemakers and sorting a more stable plan for their cath lab.

He says he has renewed efforts to work with Doctor Kapadia’s team to facilitate his noble aspirations.

You can watch the fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan at 5.15pm today on our website, facebook page and app, fijivillage.

FEATURE NEWS
USP Council to meet today and tomorrow to address concerns expressed about human resource decisions and processes
The University of the South Pacific Council is expected to meet today and tomorrow to address concerns expressed about human resource decisions and pr...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Trough of low pressure to affect the group till tomorrow
People can expect rain to affect the Fiji group till later tomorrow as a trough of pressure lies over the group, which is associated with clouds and ...
39 minutes ago

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa awarded, Fiji’s Best Golf Hotel Prize 2024
Fiji’s Best Golf Hotel Prize 2024 has been awarded to InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, highlighting the resort's position as a top ...
1 hour ago

LTA intensifies road safety campaign during this festive season following Navuniasi accident
The Land Transport Authority will ramp up road safety education and enforcement efforts during the festive season to curb reckless driving behaviour ...
2 hours ago

Student in Ovalau allegedly found with marijuana
A student from a prominent school in Ovalau was found in possession of a branch of leaves believed to be marijuana, two weeks ago and is now under ...
2 hours ago

No reports of individuals injecting drugs in coconuts or ‘bu’ - ACP Driu
Police have clarified that there are no reports of individuals injecting drugs in coconuts or ‘bu’. Assistant Commissioner of Police ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
10 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
10 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
17 days ago

TOP