Raratonga Hospital

The Rarotonga hospital, located in the Islands capital city, is the largest hospital in the country, with 80 beds, up to 40 employee doctors, a variety of services and other modern amenities. There are always doctors on call to tend to emergencies.

The ratio of doctors to patients at this hospital is also very high.

The hospital, as with other hospitals on the Islands is run by the Cook Islands National Health Service, which provides a good standard of care relative to the needs of the country. The facilities in this hospital are comprised of a surgical ward, medical ward, small paediatric ward and small maternity ward. There are also two theatres and a few outpatient consulting rooms at the front of the hospital. The hospital has its own laboratory (however some tests are sent to New Zealand), x-ray and ultrasound facilities. There is no ct scanner.

There is a comprehensive and compulsory immunisation programme for all new-born children in the Cook Islands, so some students may see this programme in action during their elective. Difficult clinical cases are referred to New Zealand for specialised treatment, so students should not expect to deal with very complicated cases whilst on electives here.

Contacts

The Rarotonga hospital acting Chief Medical Officer is Dr Koko Lwin (hospital switch 682 – 22664 mobile: 682 55708 (email: koko.lwin@cookislands.gov.ck). The Director of Hospital Services is Dr Yin Yin May (email: yin.may@cookislands.gov.ck) and The Head Surgeon is Dr Deacon Teapa (deacon.teapa@cookislands.gov.ck). As of June 2018 the new Secretary of Health is Dr Josephine Herman (682 – 29664). (Email: josephine.herman@cookislands.gov.ck) and the Minister for Health is the Hon Mrs Rose Vainetutai Toki Brown (email: rose.brown@cookislands.gov.ck). Although practicing in New Zealand, paediatric Surgeon Dr Kiki Maoate is originally from the Cook Islands and actively involved in the surgical development of Ratatonga hospital and is director of the Pacific Islands Project (PIP).