Emergency Services in Fiji
| Service | Number | Service | Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMBULANCE | 911 | CRIME STOPPERS | 919 |
| FIRE AND EMERGENCIES | 910 | Central/Eastern Division Control Room (NFA) | 3312877 |
| Western Division Control Room (NFA) | 6660211 | ||
| Northern Division Control Room (NFA) | 8811333 | ||
| (NFA) National FIre Service | |||
Public Healthcare in Fiji
Expatriates’ are able to use and seek treatment at the many government-run public hospitals in Fiji. Although the level of care is not always of the standards available in developed countries, with wait times tending to be considerably longer than expected, the quality and quantity of equipment may be extremely basic, inefficient, or in some cases non-existent. A rule of thumb I have always followed up on my travels is the further you remove yourself from the three main urban areas of Fiji, the greater the distance and travel times to access appropriate facilities if needed in an emergency.
The 3 main public hospitals in Fiji are The Colonial War Museum Hospital located on the outskirts of Suva City in the Central Division; its counterpart Lautoka Hospital serving the people of the city with the same name in the Western Division; and, finally Labasa Hospital on Vanua Levu in the Northern Division. Each has several smaller specialized sub-divisional hospitals (SDH) dispersed across the different provinces and districts of Fiji.
QUICK NOTE – THE MAIN HOSPITALS ALL HAVE ENGLISH-SPEAKING STAFF.
We have created 4 separate tables detailing the different hospitals with respect to their division and province. It is always worth knowing the location of your nearest medical facility when traveling, hopefully, you will not need to use their services, but it is better to have the information and not use it, than not have the most pertinent information when required.
Central Division
| Division | Hospital | Capacity | Province | Description | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Colonial War Memorial | 458 | N/A | Divisional and NRC | Map |
| Central | St Giles | 136 | N/A | Psychiatric Hospital & (NRC) | Map |
| Central | Tamavua/Twomey | 91 | N/A | N/A | Map |
| Central | Korovou | 17 | Tailevu | (SDH) – Level 2 | Map |
| Central | Nausori Maternity | 15 | Rewa | Maternity Hospital | Map |
| Central | Navua | 12 | Serua Island/ Namosi | N/A | Map |
| Central | Vunidawa | 21 | Naitasiri | N/A | Map |
| Central | Wainibokasi | 14 | Rewa | Area Medical | Map |
Western Division
| Division | Hospital | Capacity | Province | Description | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western | Lautoka | 339 | Ba, Lautoka City | Divisional and NRC | Map |
| Western | Ba | 50 | Ba | SDH – Level 1 | Map |
| Western | Tavua | 42 | Tavua District | SDH – Level 2 | Map |
| Western | Rakiraki | 22 | Ra | SDH – Level 2 | Map |
| Western | Nadi | 85 | Nadi Conurbation | SDH – Level 1 | Map |
| Western | Sigatoka | 60 | Nadroga-Navosa | SDH – Level 1 | Map |
Northern Division
| Division | Hospital | Capacity | Province | Description | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern | Labasa | 161 | Macuata | Divisional and NRC | Map |
| Northern | Savusavu | 58 | Cakaudrove | SDH – Level 1 | Map |
| Northern | Nabouwalu | 31 | Bua | SDH – Level 2 | Map |
| Northern | Waiyevo | 33 | Taveuni Island | SDH – Level 2 | Map |
Eastern Division
| Division | Hospital | Capacity | Province | Description | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern | Lakeba | 12 | Lakeba Island | SDH – Level 2 | Map |
| Eastern | Lomaloma | 16 | Lomaloma District | N/A | Map |
| Eastern | Levuka | 40 | Lomaviti Islands | N/A | Map |
| Eastern | Vunisea | 22 | Kadavu Island | N/A | Map |
| Eastern | Rotuma | 14 | Rotuma Dependency | Area Medical | Map |
| Eastern | Matuku | 5 | Matuku Island | N/A | Map |
Private Fiji Healthcare | English Speaking
| No. | Medical-Facility | Telephone | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nasese Private Hospital | 3314450 | 62 Ratu Sukuna Road, Suva | info@nasesemed.com |
| Main Specialisation - medical consulatations, evaluations, executive check-up, screening, Wellness programmes, Pharmacy Services. Treadmill/Stress, ECG, Imaging/Ultrasound Scan and X-ray facilities, Physiotherapy and Sleep study, laboratory blood tests, Immunology, Serology and Microbology, Outpatient Management, Day Care and In-patient admissions, Specialist clinics, Dianostic Procedures, Minimally invasive surgical procedures, Minor and major surgeries (Thyroid, Mastectomy, Hernia, Haemorrhoids, Tonsillectonmy, Varicose Vein surgeries and others, Gynaecological procedures, Obsterics/Birthing. | ||||
| 2 | Oceania Hospitals | 3303404 | 120 Amy Street, Suva | info@ophl.com.fj |
| Main Specialisation -hospital provides a wide variety and high standard services and diagnostic capabilities. Some of the services include full-fledged Surgical, Medical, Gynaecology, Obstetric, Diagnostics, Critical Care and Pharmacy Services | ||||
| 3 | Zens Medical Centres | 6703533 | 40 Lodhias Street, Nadi | zenlowfj@yahoo.com |
| 7766600/9996003 | Namaka Lane, Nadi | |||
| 6663028 | 10 Mana Street, Lautoka | |||
| Main Specialisation - x-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, child care clinic, womens care clinic, dental clinic & laboratory, blood test laboratory, dialysis services all on site | ||||
Listed above are the few private hospitals in Fiji, they are mainly concentrated around the two main populated areas of Viti Levu, Suva or Nadi. These centers are normally open 24 Hours a day, with more specialized staff and diagnostic equipment available. Although the conditions and equipment are far superior to the public government hospitals, they are still lacking, so we STRONGLY ADVISE you to include in your travel insurance medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand as part of your health Travel Insurance Cover. This is normally only a few extra dollars and you can rest assured you will be safe, DO NOT TREAT THIS AS AN EXTRA OR OPTIONAL.
Pharmacies in Fiji
Pharmacies and Drug Stores are widely available across all the cities and major towns of Fiji, enabling easy access to all expatriates and tourists on their holidays, with several pharmacies staying open late into the evening. It is highly advisable to bring sufficient supplies of necessary medication with you when coming to Fiji, with a doctor’s letter for the prescription from home, to present to the border control agents at the airport, and if you need to purchase an additional prescription during your travels.
TOP TIPS (UK EMBASSY)
- If you need prescribed medicine for your health condition, talk to your GP or practice nurse about your travel plans at least 2 months before your departure date. They can tell you if you need to make any special arrangements.
- Traveling with your medicines
- Always carry medicines and medical equipment (needles, syringes, and so on) in their original, correctly labeled packages.
- Details of your medicine, including its generic name (not just the brand name)
- Carry your medicine in your hand luggage (although check your airline’s regulations before travelling) with a copy of your prescription and consider packing some extra medicine in your suitcase or holding luggage in case you lose your hand luggage.
- Check that the expiry dates of your medicines will be valid for the duration of your visit abroad.
Health Hazards in Fiji
One of the two most common health issues expatriates have repeatedly reported are Food poisoning and stomach bugs, the three main causes being meat and fish products and the local tap water.
Expats should avoid the following to minimise the chances of either of these two health issues upon arrival to Fiji
- Avoid purchasing Meat or Fish from questionable establishments, especially from the roadside markets, as they normally have no refrigeration.
- Buy bottled water or boil the water you drink or use to clean salads and raw vegetables, and when socializing avoid ice cubes or ice in your drinks.
- Typhoid and hepatitis are prevalent all across Fiji.
Pre-Travel Vaccinations for Fiji
There are no mandatory immunizations required for travel to Fiji. However, those moving to Fiji should ensure routine vaccinations, including measles and mumps, rubella, diphtheria tetanus pertussis, polio, chicken pox, and flu vaccines are up to date.