The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to improve its medical services significantly, thanks to a $14.7 million investment from Australia. This announcement was made by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting.
Minister Wong highlighted the importance of revitalizing CWM Hospital, stating that the funds will be directed toward developing a comprehensive master plan. This initiative is aimed at establishing a blueprint to ensure the hospital continues to provide uninterrupted services while being transformed into a modern medical facility.
JohnStaff International Development, an Australian firm, has been appointed as the leading consultant for the master plan, which is anticipated to take approximately 12 to 14 months to complete. Wong emphasized that the plan would address the future healthcare needs of Fiji, its workforce, and the necessary infrastructure for a high-quality national referral hospital.
She expressed a sense of urgency regarding the renovations, saying, “If you walk through this hospital and when you talk to staff members, it’s clear that we can’t wait for the completion of that process.” Australia is also undertaking an urgent engineering assessment of the existing hospital structure to ensure its ongoing operational capability throughout the redevelopment process.
Wong reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting the development of better healthcare services and creating inclusive opportunities. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka praised the Australian government’s timely investment, highlighting the strong partnership between Australia and Fiji.
“We are very grateful towards the Australian government for giving us money to be able to redevelop our hospital,” said Rabuka. Health and Medical Services Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed that an agreement had been signed with the Australian government for the master plan’s redevelopment.
He acknowledged the challenges the hospital currently faces, particularly regarding space, and assured that the ministry would strategically work to maintain services while carrying out necessary repairs. Alison McKechnie, CEO of the winning tender, stressed that the redevelopment master plan would be their top priority to ensure Fijians receive high-quality healthcare. She recognized the strong ties between the Fijian Government and Australia through this significant project, asserting that the master plan would serve as a blueprint for transformative changes in Fiji’s healthcare system.