Utilizing a Medical Ship in the COVID-19 Response in Fiji

Abstract

Background/Introduction:Fiji consists of 110 populated islands over an area of 2,600,000 square kilometers and is prone to disasters such as tropical cyclones.1 To increase national capacity to respond to disasters and outbreak, the Fijian government, under the commissioning of Ministry of Transport and with technical guidance from the Ministry of Health, designed a medical ship called the MV Veivueti. During Fiji’s COVID-19 surge, MV Veivueti was utilized to provide operative health services during the surge in COVID-19 patients at other health facilities.2Objectives:To describe FEMAT’s COVID-19 response utilizing the medical ship, MV Veivueti, in Fiji’s Pacific island setting.Method/Description:MV Veivueti has been used on multiple disaster responses, however the COVID-19 surge in mid-2021 was the first time the vessel was used during an outbreak to allow for the continuation of surgeries when other health facilities were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. The medical ship is staffed with a comprehensive team from Fiji’s EMT - FEMAT - including surgeons, pediatricians, obstetricians, a dentist, nurses, and other medical staff.Results/Outcomes:From May 5 through July 6, 2021, a 12-member medical team staffed the medical ship 24-hours a day, providing primarily operative management of cases that were referred from health facilities. COVID-19 screening and IPC measures were in place and a clear patient flow was designed for patient transferred to health care facilities.Conclusion:The use of the MV Veivueti helped ensure continuity of critical health services during the peak of the Delta VOC outbreak in the Fiji Islands.