News

Health Ministry reassures heart patients

March 28, 2019 7:31 am

Cath lab and CT scan services are available in the public system which can be accessed by anyone says Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete.

His comment comes as these services have been temporarily withdrawn by the MIOT Pacific Hospital.

The three major hospitals in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa provide cardiology services.

Article continues after advertisement

Dr Waqainabete says those who are heart patients at MIOT can access Cath Lab and CT scan services at these public hospitals.

“So any patient needing that and may not have that available can also through the mechanisms of referral, can come across the public system and certainly that is offered in the public system. An on a regular basis for example as we speak now there are patients getting CT scans at CWM and Lautoka.”

However, the Minister stressed patients may face some delays.

“But certainly because it is a public system they’ll probably be a bit of a wait. Emergency cases that needs CT scan would have it as quickly as possible, those who are not too emergent will actually wait for a little but also because they are also following a triage system to do that.

A Cath lab is an examination room with diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualize the arteries and chambers of the heart and treat any stenosis or abnormality found.

Meanwhile, sources have reliably informed FBC News that MIOT Pacific International and its partners are trying to resolve some internal issues related to the running of the Hospital.