Fiji has no Neurological Unit
The Fijians do not have a neurosurgical service or a dedicated neurologist. They have a CAT Scanner and radiologist at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.
Over three decades, neurosurgeons from Australia have gone on a regular visit, usually once a year, to perform surgery, over a period of a week or two.
This was at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva which is the capital of the country.
For several years, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, under its Pacific Island Project, funded by AusAid, has been sending a team once a year of a neurosurgeon, anesthetist and either a nurse or radiologist to provide neurosurgical service at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva for a period of 2 weeks.
A second visit for a week was also provided, for more an educational purpose than as a clinical service. This visit ceased due to inadequate funding 2 years ago.
Dr K Nadana Chandran, a neurosurgeon from Canberra, took over the regular annual visit under the Pacific Island Project since 2001.
During these visits he was also able to take text books, medical and surgical supplies and instruments and donate them in the name of the Sai Medical Unit to the CWM Hospital. A link was also established with the local Sai group
During these visits it became apparent that a regular second visit was needed.