Lakeba doctor investigated

07:05 Tue Sep 11, 2012

The Health Ministry is currently investigating a doctor in Lakeba for alleged misconduct.

This comes after allegations from a patient at the Lakeba Hospital that he was not given the right treatment by staff almost three months ago.

Marawai Vakatalai suffered from pneumonia and claims if he’d listened to doctors in Lakeba – he would have died.

He was admitted at the Komo Health Centre for a week, waiting to be picked up by boat and taken to Lakeba Hospital.

Suffering from fever and with severe bouts of coughing, he had to borrow fuel from Komo and find his own way to Lakeba – four hours by boat.

He did this because staff at Lakeba Hospital told him to – promising to pay for the fuel.

After a week in Lakeba he was still in pain and didn’t seem to be recovering.

His requests to be transferred to Suva were allegedly denied.

Vakatalai arrived in Suva on the 14th of June and was immediately admitted at the CWM Hospital.

Two days later, he was wheeled into the operating room for emergency surgery.

He is calling on medical authorities to ensure – other patients in the islands do not go through the same ordeal.

Deputy Secretary for Health Dr Mecuisela Tuicakau has confirmed that they are currently looking into the matter.

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