The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services, becoming one of the premier facilities in the region, thanks to a significant investment from Australia. The Australian government has pledged $14.7 million for the hospital’s redevelopment master plan, an announcement made by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting.
Ms. Wong recognized the urgent need for the renovation of CWM Hospital, stating, “Australia is investing $14.7 million to develop this master plan.” The funding will help create a comprehensive plan to ensure continuous services and upgrade the facility into a modern medical center. The project will be led by JohnStaff International Development, an Australian company, which will take approximately 12 to 14 months to complete.
“This master plan will address the future health needs of Fiji, enhancing its workforce and the necessary infrastructure for a high-quality national referral hospital,” Ms. Wong added. She emphasized the importance of ongoing services during the development process and shared Australia’s commitment to supporting the improvement of healthcare in the region.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed gratitude towards the Australian government for this timely investment, highlighting the strong partnership between Australia and Fiji. Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, confirmed that the agreement for the redevelopment has been signed and addressed the challenges posed by the hospital’s current condition.
Alison McKechnie, CEO of the winning tender, stated that the master plan will be a priority to ensure Fijians receive high-quality healthcare. She acknowledged the collaboration between the Fijian and Australian governments, asserting that the project signifies their robust ties and aims to bring transformational change to healthcare in Fiji.