Direct attempts were made earlier this week by the Ministry of Health to disengage from the International Women’s Association who have been voluntarily assisting the ministry in upgrading facilities at the CWM’s Maternity and Children’s hospitals, the Oncology Ward, and Saint Giles Hospital amongst others.
IWA President, Judy Compain has tweeted that in 2018, the then government ousted IWA from the CWM Hospital for revealing shocking conditions at the Maternity Hospital. She says earlier this week, the Ministry of Health tried to do the same.
Compain asks whether the MOH does not want IWA in the hospital and she also asks Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad whether it was his visit to the hospital.
fijivillage News understands that Professor Prasad had toured the health facilities with Compain two weeks ago where Compain highlighted serious concerns about the facilities which are yet to be fixed.
Compain recently headed a IWA fundraising to get an echo machine for the CWM Children’s Hospital to ensure that Rheumatic Heart Disease tests can be conducted for children at the hospital rather than the hospital borrowing the equipment which they have been doing for years.
She had also confirmed that they will get a new lift for the Children’s Hospital which has not been fixed for about 5 years.
Now, the ministry is saying that they will get the lift as they have the budget for it.
We understand that issues discussed during Professor Prasad’s visit to CWM also highlighted issues such as toilet paper not being provided to the women and children in their wards.
During the visit at the hospital’s stores, many toilet paper rolls were seen, which also raises the question on why this is not provided to those in real need in the hospital to maintain personal basic hygiene.
fijivillage News has also been informed that IWA received a letter from the Ministry of Health that they could no longer engage with IWA as they were not a registered organization as stated by the Ministry of Justice. However documents were then provided showing registration details of the organization.
No decision made to remove the International Women's Association from CWM - Dr Lalabalavu
Health Minister, Doctor Atonio Lalabalavu says there has been no decision made to remove the International Women's Association, and they welcome any assistance from people and organizations after information surfaced that there was a direct attempt by the Ministry of Health to disengage from IWA.
When questioned by fijivillage News, Doctor Lalabalavu confirms there was an email sent to IWA but it was not to remove IWA from CWM Hospital.
The Ministry of Health has released 3 statements regarding IWA and recalled it this afternoon.
IWA President, Judy Compain has continued to maintain that they are a registered organization.
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