The Australian government has appointed Johnstaff International Development to create a master plan for the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in collaboration with GHD, Silver Thomas Hanley, and International SOS Australia.
During the announcement, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, acknowledged the dedication of health professionals in Fiji, similar to those in Australia. She emphasized the shared belief that healthcare is a fundamental right for all individuals, regardless of their background. When Fiji sought assistance for improving healthcare through the hospital’s master plan, Australia responded positively.
Senator Wong mentioned that the CWM Hospital, established over a century ago, needs immediate enhancements in health services. She stated that an urgent engineering assessment will be conducted on the current hospital facilities to ensure they remain operational while the master plan is developed and executed.
Australia is proud to support this initiative and values its partnership with Fiji, aiming to foster better services, greater inclusivity, and overall regional prosperity. The Vuvale partnership between the two nations is based on trust and mutual respect.
In response, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed Fiji’s sincere appreciation to the Australian government for its financial commitment towards the redevelopment of the CWM Hospital. He highlighted the significance of the hospital’s name, honoring Fijian soldiers who fought during wartime, as seen in the memorial displayed at the hospital’s entrance.
PM Rabuka noted that this partnership demonstrates the substantial progress achieved together and serves as a global example of effective collaboration.