Alumita Kotobalavu speaks out as remote villagers face a costly journey to care

For families in Nabukelevu, Kadavu, getting medical help can mean a steep walk, rough conditions and, in serious cases, an expensive boat trip. Alumita Kotobalavu says those hurdles have been part of life for her community for years. Kotobalavu, who is originally from Makadru in Matuku, Lau, and is married in Lomaji, Nabukelevu, described the difficulty of reaching Talaulia Nursing Station. Villagers living in the mountains must make their way down challenging slopes, and heavy rain can make the route even harder to manage. She said elderly people were especially affected, with some unable to make the journey during wet weather. Kotobalavu also pointed to the limited staffing at the nursing station: it has one nurse, who cannot leave to visit the village when patients are waiting at the station. For more serious cases, residents need to travel to Vunisea Government Station, where the main hospital is located. According to the report, a boat ride can cost about $150 one way—an imposing expense for families already dealing with illness. Seventy-two-year-old Sereima Valeka gave a personal account of what that distance means. She said that when she feels weak, prayer is sometimes her comfort, and described the hospital as far away while God feels near. Talaulia headman Kini Bera also raised concerns about the community’s access to dependable healthcare. The report described the opening of a solar project at Talaulia Nursing Station on November 14, 2026, but Kotobalavu’s remarks highlighted the continuing practical challenges: difficult terrain, one nurse serving the station, and a costly journey for patients who need hospital treatment.