A new organisation to offer free health services and facilities to the impoverished and needy persons in Fiji has just been officially launched in New Zealand.
The Friends of Fiji Health Foundation Inc has plans to operate ‘Super Clinics’ at the outset in Tavua and Nadi, with the potential to expand to other districts, towns and villages on a need-based approach in the future.
Foundation Chairman Dr Sunil Pillay said that teams of medical practitioners including doctors will visit Fiji from time to time to provide appropriate services with local teams of doctors and nurses.
“Such a process will require the services of like-minded doctors, nurses and other personnel and we are privileged to have dedicated people in the Foundation providing their time and expertise free of charge,” he said at a launch function held at the Western Springs Community Hall in Auckland on September 10.
He said discussions held with officials in Fiji during the planning stage provided a clear picture of the services and facilities required.
He said he and his team of trustees and others travelled extensively in Fiji to gain firsthand knowledge of the situation.
Meetings were held with Health Ministry officials in Fiji and that the Government was willing to provide assistance to ensure the success of the efforts concerted by the Foundation, he said.
Dr Pillay said that it was no secret that Fiji suffers from acute shortage of human, financial and other resources to provide timely medical attention to the poor and needy in that country.
Many people live in poor health conditions, treatment for which is beyond their affordable limits, he said.
“A large number of poor people need specialist and urgent surgical intervention would be expensive. They are unable to travel abroad for treatment. The Foundation aims to take these services to them in Fiji,” he said.
Dr Pillay said the aims and objectives of the Foundation were based on a detailed report prepared following the team’s return from Fiji.
“The range of needs in Fiji is much greater than what we could do as a Foundation. However, there is an immediate need for obstetrics and gynaecological operations. We would focus on this issue in November.
“Every bit would help alleviate the health problems in Fiji,” he said.
The Foundation became a reality partly out of a pronounced need for providing medical help to the poor in Fiji and partly out of the growing awareness among people of Fijian origin (especially Indians), he said.
Registered with the New Zealand Government as a Charitable Trust, the Foundation would supplement the health services to the people of Fiji who have no access to such services.
“Most of us who migrated to New Zealand have done well in our careers and vocations. We understand the plight of some of the families we left behind in Fiji. It is time to rise to the occasion and do our best,” he said.
“The Trustees, officials and members of the Foundation are determined to improve the health conditions of our people in Fiji and it is heartening to note that there are many others (who are not members of the Foundation) have also offered to provide their time and resources,” he said.
Dr Pillay said as well as providing services and facilities, the Foundation was keen to effect meaningful transfer of knowledge and skills to medical practitioners in Fiji.
“We must provide training programmes and sessions to local medical practitioners in Fiji. These programmes will include accurate early diagnosis, treatment and surgical procedures. The friends of Fiji in the Foundation is keen to make a long-term, lasting and effective contribution to medical practice in Fiji,” he said.
Provision of medical services would entail a number of other facilities including special marquees to conduct health check-up, clinical services and treatment.
He said the Foundation would count on the generosity of Fijians living in Auckland and other parts of New Zealand to move the project forward.
The Foundation would provide the requisite services free of cost, with donations received from the community.
Dr Pillay paid tribute to the founders, trustees and member of the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation Inc, another Auckland based organisation, which has been providing similar services since its establishment a few years ago.
“We have taken their guidance and experience into account to establish our Foundation. Transparency, accountability and cost-effectiveness form the core principles of our Foundation and all administrative expenses, including travel, accommodation costs would be borne by the individual trustees, and other friends to channel financial contributions received to provide health services in Fiji, he said.
Dr Pillay made special mention of fellow trustees of the Friends of Fiji Health Foundation, including Deepak Tahal (Chief Executive), Daven Naidu (Secretary) Rajesh Chaudhary (Treasurer), Radhe Nand (Legal Advisor), Mukesh Parshotam (Auditor) Dr Rajen Prasad, Bob Naidu, Dr Dhana Gounder, Dr Rishi Ram, Dr Ajay Kumar, Dr Vinod Singh, Dr Rajendra Kumar and Dr Ravindra Raj.
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Photo :
Dr Rajen Prasad speaking at the launch of the Friends of Fiji Health Foundation in Auckland on September 10, 2010, watched by some trustees.
