An alternative method to supply oxygen to Health Clinics and rural Hospitals in Fiji was ambitious and provided unexpected life saving opportunities for the people of Fiji. This project proved to be very successful resulting in great team work within the Rotary Club of Remuera New Zealand, fantastic support from other Rotary Clubs and a very successful partnership with CureKids.

Article by PP Catherine Holden, Rotary Club of Remuera, D9920, Auckland New Zealand

Supply of Oxygen to outlying Health Clinics or rural Hospitals in Fiji was by large, heavy cylinders of oxygen at a considerable cost to the Government Health system. Since supplies were limited for logistical reasons and cost, the unenviable situation could result where choices had to be made as to which patients received the limited supply. Even worse, supply might run out during treatment. The underlying motivation of the project became “no child should die for lack of oxygen”. Associate Professor Stephen Howie from the Auckland Medical School has had personal experience in the use of oxygen machines.

An alternative method of Oxygen supply was the answer. This was possible by using a small electrically driven Oxygen concentrator producing the oxygen locally. Such an installation’s success was predicated upon having a reliable continuous community electrical supply. Otherwise, the installation of solar electrical generation would be necessary at remote Health Clinics.

Our Club has a deep connection with the CureKids organisation through founding members including Roy Austin and Professor Bob Elliot, (paediatrician and eminent researcher). Through this association, The Fiji Oxygen Project was born.

The Fiji oxygen project has been an ambitious project with a total funding of NZ$650,000 raised by the Rotary Club of Remuera, a Global Grant, District and Club contributions. A great response was received from Clubs in District 9920 – in particular, Rotary Clubs of Auckland South, Papatoetoe Central, St. John’s and our Global Grant Project partner Rotary Club of Suva. CureKids organised the purchase and installation of the equipment. A close association and cooperation with the Fiji Department of Health was fostered and is ongoing.

The project has supplied a total of 18 concentrators, distributed to five project sites in Fiji and a further six concentrators to three sites where the additional installation of a solar power system was necessary.

Pulse oximeters have been distributed to those sites and to other outlying health clinics to enable accurate estimation of oxygen levels in the blood to refine decision making for patients to be moved to clinics with oxygen concentrators. Training of nursing and medical staff has been given as well as electronic monitoring of sites and training of technicians to maintain the Oxygenators and the Solar installations.

This project has been completed under budget which has provided the opportunity to purchase of additional equipment including oxygen resuscitators. It has been a great success and has saved lives not only for its original purpose of treating childhood illnesses but also during the COVID19 epidemic.

If any other Rotary Club is interested in replicating and knowing more about this Project to supply Pulse Oximeters and Oxygen Concentrators, please contact catherineholden@outlook.co.nz