News

Former CWM Hospital Technical Officer charged by FICAC

Posted by Media Team 11 July 2024

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has charged a former Technical Officer (Radiology) at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital with corruption related offences.

Mr Apisai Qumivutia appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court today, Thursday 11 July 2024 charged with one (1) count of Obtaining A Financial Advantage and one (1) count of Forgery.

It is alleged that between 1 December 2018 and 31 December 2018, Mr Apisai Qumivutia engaged in a conduct, namely received cash payments made by an individual for her MRI scan and failed to disburse the said funds to the cashier at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

As a result of that conduct, Mr Qumivutia obtained a financial advantage in the sum of $3,520 for himself, knowing that he was not eligible to receive that financial advantage.

Mr Qumivutia is also alleged to have made a false document, namely an MRI scan request form, with the intention to use it to dishonestly induce public officials employed by the Ministry of Health to accept the MRI scan request form as genuine.

Junior State Counsel Sameea Nisa informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.

Resident Magistrate Mr Yogesh Prasad granted the accused a non-cash bail of $3000, ordered him not to reoffend, must continue to reside at his Vatuwaqa residence and inform the Court if he changes his residence, must not interfere with witnesses and he must report to the FICAC Suva Office once a month.

The accused was also ordered to surrender his passport in Court and a Stop Departure Order was issued, effectively immediately.

The matter has been adjourned to 13 August 2024 for plea.