Nadarivatu Health Center

Location :

• Anonymous

  08 December 2016

  I had never been up to Nadarivatu till January 2013, when I was posted to the Nadarivatu Health Centre in my first year as a practicing Medical Officer.
  
  The most scenic, heart stopping drive up to Nadarivatu is full of winding road, hairpin turns.always on the incline. It takes an off road vehicle about 90 mins to get up, and when the incline finally finished and levels off, the sight of the government station, comprising of the Health Centre, the Forestry Ranger's Station, the District Office and the Police Post greets you. It's an idyllic setting, and life never moves out of first gear. It's definitely cold, with night temperatures dipping down to an average of 12 to 15 degrees. The people are friendly, the air is clean, and there's never a traffic jam to worry about.
  
  Ever wonder where the origin of the mighty Sigatoka river is? It's right in the southern corner of the hospital compound, inside the fence! There is a spring not too far from the health centre, with the best tasting water ever. Sukuna Pool is a short walk away for those rare hot days, named after Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, who used to be the District Administrator up here back in the day. Down the road, opposite the Police Post is the Lodge, for those looking for an overnight stay, or even a bit longer.
  
  The Health centre itself is well placed, with an amazing mountain backdrop. It is sparsely equipped, but services provided range from general outpatient clinics, special outpatient clinics, antenatal bookings and follow-ups, dental extractions, paediatric outpatients and dietary counselling. While the health centre does have a birthing unit, expecting mothers are encouraged to move down to Tavua by the 32nd week of gestation, and the Nadarivatu birthing unit is reserved for emergencies only.
  
  Normal working hours are Monday to Fridays, 8am to 4.30pm. However, emergencies are seen at any hour of the day or night, including weekends. The Health Centre is hooked up to a pre-pay service for its electricity, and the water is from a nearby dam. There are 3 living quarters, one for the doctor, and the other 2 for the clinic and the zone nurse.
  
  The nearest village, Nadala is a good 15 minutes away by car. And further on from there is Navai, the village at the foot of Tomani'ivi, better known as Mount Victoria, the tallest mountain in Fiji. As the Medical Officer for the area, I had the opportunity to go out in outreach visits to all the villages and settlements. The people here have a simple life. They work the land, provide for their family, and the surplus goes to the market. Transport is available, but in short supply. The only bus service goes down to Tavua town in the morning, passing the health centre at 7am, and takes an hour to get to town. The same bus leaves Tavua at 3pm, reaching the health centre by 5pm.
  
  Nadarivatu will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first posting, my first experience of the real outdoors, and most of all, I got married to my wife up there that same year, a ceremony officiated by the Nadarivatu District Officer, surrounded by friends with whom I share a sense of belonging. I look forward to an opportunity to head back to this gem of a place, someday soon.
  
  Colo Qali.

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