THE purchase of the 14 new dialysis machines announced in the 2017 budget is awaiting facility upgrade and training of health staff.
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said this while answering Opposition MP Lenora Qereqeretabua’s query as to “why the provision of four new dialysis machines at the Lautoka Hospital and 10 new dialysis machines at the National Kidney Research and Treatment Centre as announced in the budget address of June, 2017, have not been provided”.
Dr Waqainbete said for Suva, Nadera had been identified as a convenient location to house the machines.
He said for the West, two centres could be established, “possibly one just outside of Nadi and possibly one just around Lautoka.
“I can assure us that we have gone out and started looking for our staff,” he said.
“Qualified physicians are in short supply worldwide and it has taken time to identify, recruit and appoint a nephrologist who will be coming to lead this role in the Ministry of Health.”
Dr Waqainabete said a local who had been trained locally with a postgraduate qualification, had also spent two years in New Zealand and would at some stage assist in the managing of the National Kidney Research and Treatment Centre.
