Aspen Medical Have Betrayed the People of Ba Says Bala
FIJI NEWS
The recent decision by Aspen Medical to slash the operating hours of the General Outpatients Department (GOPD) at Ba Hospital has been condemned as a reckless betrayal of the people in the western division, according to Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Parveen Bala.
In a scathing statement, Bala, who represents the opposition, expressed his deep concern about the cutback in services at the hospital, which has historically been a lifeline for thousands of residents in Ba, Tauva, and surrounding districts.
“For generations, the people of Ba were denied proper access to healthcare services, until the FijiFirst government delivered a much-needed public hospital. Now, this coalition government, in its infinite neglect, has decided that the sick, elderly, and vulnerable in the west deserve less than what private GPs offer,” said Bala.
Bala called the decision to reduce the GOPD operating hours to part-time a “death sentence” for the region, warning that it would put lives at risk. “Reducing GOPD service to a part-time operation while forcing patients into a chaotic, under-resourced triage system is a betrayal of the highest order,” he said. “We’ve seen what happens when emergency departments are overwhelmed – people die waiting. And mark my words, more will die because of this reckless decision.”
The controversial move comes just weeks after the tragic deaths of young students in Ba, further fueling public anger. Bala highlighted the government's spending priorities, criticising it for allocating millions of dollars to travel junkets and divisive reforms while basic services like healthcare were being cut back.
“This is the same government that has spent millions of dollars on travel junkets and divisive reforms while Fijians continue to suffer. Now, they are robbing the people of Ba of basic healthcare,” Bala added. “The people of Ba and the surrounding districts deserve better. They deserve a government that cares, that acts, and that puts lives before politics.”
The opposition leader has called on the Minister for Health to intervene and immediately restore the full GOPD services at Ba Hospital, saying it is imperative to safeguard the health and well-being of the people in the western division.
“I urge the Minister for Health to intervene and restore full GOPD service now. The people of Ba deserve a government that is committed to their health, not one that takes their services away,” Bala said.
