The Fiji Labour Party has called for justice and greater accountability in the case of a six-year-old girl who suffered serious injuries during a Physical Education class at Labasa Sangam Primary School.

Misthi, a Class One student, was injured on June 4 after she was reportedly pushed by an older student, who then fell on her.

She suffered a severe fracture to her right femur and was admitted to Labasa Hospital, where she underwent around six weeks of traction before later being transferred to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva for specialist paediatric orthopaedic care.

Questions have since been raised over how the school responded immediately after the incident.

According to information released by the Labour Party, the injured child remained on the ground following the incident before a Class Six student was eventually asked to carry her to the classroom, where an ice pack was applied.

The party claims no ambulance or other emergency assistance was called and the school instead contacted Misthi’s mother, Kartika Chand, who took her daughter to hospital.

Three months after the incident, Misthi reportedly continues to experience difficulty walking and has been unable to return to school or resume normal activities.

Her mother has since relocated to Suva to keep her daughter closer to specialist medical services and has been seeking answers over the handling of the incident.

A formal Police complaint alleging negligence and failure of duty of care was lodged in Labasa on June 15.

The Ministry of Education also conducted an internal investigation, but the family has reportedly not been provided with a copy of its findings.

Chand has been writing to Education Minister Aseri Radrodro seeking the report and answers over whether anyone has been held accountable.

The Labour Party also claims a senior Education Ministry official subsequently advised Chand to allow Police to complete their investigation and told her that it would be the Ministry’s last communication with her regarding the matter.

The party has questioned the handling of the case and the length of time being taken to complete the Police investigation.

It has now called on the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Ministry responsible for women and children to investigate the matter and provide assistance to Misthi and her family.

Labour has also pointed to constitutional protections relating to children’s rights, including protection from neglect, violence and inhumane treatment.

The Ministry of Education and Fiji Police Force have yet to publicly respond to the latest concerns raised by the Labour Party.