Pacific Specialist Healthcare team assists with Nadi Airport emergency

Apart from making local and international headlines for achieving unprecedented milestones in the medical field in recent times, Fiji’s largest state-of-the-art 130-bed specialty private hospital was in the spotlight once again last week for a totally different reason.

A medical team from Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH Hospitals) responded swiftly to assist the three Fiji Airways crew members and a passenger who were injured during a flight turbulence onboard the Sydney to Nadi flight last Wednesday evening.

Situated only a stone’s throw away from the Nadi International Airport, the team from PSH Hospitals were at the site awaiting the flight to arrive within minutes of receiving the emergency call from airport authorities.

“As a state-of-the-art specialty private hospital located right beside the international airport, we are duty-bound to answer and respond to any emergency calls made by our neighbours and any other stakeholders for that matter,” PSH Hospitals founder and chief executive officer Parvish Kumar said.

Mr Kumar said PSH Hospitals is ready to work very closely with all the relevant stakeholders at the Nadi International Airport to ensure that immediate medical attention is given to any passenger or crew on the ground as and when required.

He said the presence of the Nadi International Airport to close proximity plays a crucial role for the hospital.

“As you know, we are a regional hospital with a vision to serve the entire 22 island countries in the Pacific. This is where our close location to the airport is very helpful to our regional and travelling patients.”

PSH Hospitals’ Director of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine Dr Ratu Vereniki Raiwalui who led the emergency medical team said all affected passengers were promptly assessed and stabilized, showcasing the efficiency and emergency response capabilities of their team.

“Remarkably, only one individual required hospitalization for advanced care, and we are relieved to report that the concerned patient was immediately attended to and was fit to be discharged in a day,” Dr Vereniki informed.

He said this is a testament to the preparedness and professionalism of the medical staff on-site, ensuring that a potentially chaotic situation was managed effectively and with compassion.

“Our thoughts remain with the affected passengers as they receive the care they need.”

According to a statement released by the national airline last Wednesday evening, Fiji Airways flight FJ910 was on its way to Nadi from Sydney when three cabin crew and one passenger sustained minor injuries during the flight due to severe turbulence.

“We regret that one guest and three cabin crew members sustained minor injuries as a result. The flight was met on arrival in Nadi by medical staff, and assistance was provided to all those affected,” Fiji Airways said in the statement.

“Fiji Airways takes the safety and well-being of its guests and crew very seriously and regrets the occurrence of this event.”

Meanwhile, senior representatives from Fiji Airports Limited and Fiji Airways have met the management of PSH Hospitals last week with a view of further collaboration and teamwork in all areas of interest concerning the Nadi International Airport which is Fiji’s gateway to the world.

·         by SHALENDRA PRASAD, a freelance photojournalist based in Nadi, Fiji