THE Valelevu Health Centre can cater for a maximum of 850 patients per day and the Health Ministry has taken appropriate action to adequately staff the health centre.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar said the ministry had placed six additional doctors, one nurse practitioner and one locum doctor at the health centre which was now operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
She was responding to concerns raised by members of the public on the long waiting hours and the need for the ministry to boost the number of staff members at the health centre.
“Nine additional nurses will fill the vacancies in April when new nurses’ graduate and those working at the three divisional hospitals will be deployed to the different health centres, nursing stations and subdivisional hospitals,” Ms Akbar said.
Valelevu resident Lavinia Nasoni claimed that she was told by a staff member at the health centre to be patient as there was not enough staff.
“I visit this health centre very often and I’ve seen that a lot of people are now visiting it because it’s open every time,” Ms Nasoni said.
Jope Tiko and Asena Lakovi also echoed similar sentiments and said it was imperative for the ministry to look into the issue closely and to increase the number of staff members at the health centre.
Ms Akbar has also encouraged members of the public to lodge their concerns and views through the ministry’s toll-free helpline 157.
