The Fijian Government has commissioned its own hospital ship.
Fiji PM, Frank Bainimarama, launches the Veivueti hospital ship Photo: Fiji Govt
The 46 metre long landing craft has been commissioned to provide primary and secondary medical services and to be used as a rapid response vessel during natural disasters.
It is called Veivueti, which means to 'help someone in a time of need.'
When launching it on Thursday in Suva, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said the vessel's intended schedule was to undertake 10 week-long trips, with the expectation that about 10,000 patients in remote areas could be seen.
The ship was built in Malaysia and cost $US3.8 million.