The Ministry of Health is looking at using nurse practitioners in Gau to assist the only doctor serving three islands in the Lomaiviti Group.

Minister responsible, Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete says the only doctor stationed at Qarani Health Centre currently looks after people in Gau, Nairai, and Batiki.

Dr. Waqainabete adds that Dr. Erima Raikoti has the assistance of nurses and 3 nursing stations located in Nacavanadi, Nawaikama, and Vadravadra on the island of Gau.

He adds the Ministry has plans to increase personnel in the Lomaiviti Group to improve health services.

“We are thinking about Nacavanadi Nursing Station, it’s important for us to do that because currently at the moment the initial road that was constructed is from Sawaieke to Qarani from Qarani to Nacavanadi the road is not in working order at the moment. Nacavanadi serves quite a few villages in Navuailagi and Vanuaso Tikinas, so for us that is the next step putting a nurse practitioner there and be able to up the level of care we are able to provide.”

The Health Ministry is expecting to reel in about 130 more doctors with the new lot of graduates by the end of this year.

Dr. Waqainabete highlighted that these new doctors will boost the numbers they currently have – adding that they hope to have at least 900 doctors in the system by the beginning of next year.