The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services significantly, with support from Australia. The Australian government recently announced an investment of $14.7 million for the redevelopment master plan of the hospital. 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.
Ms. Wong emphasized the necessity for the CWM Hospital’s renovations, stating, “Australia is investing $14.7 million to develop this master plan.” The aim of this funding is to create a comprehensive blueprint for the hospital, ensuring the continuation of services and transforming it into a modern medical facility.
JohnStaff International Development, an Australian-owned business, will lead the master plan project, which is projected to be completed within 12 to 14 months. Ms. Wong noted that the plan will help meet Fiji’s future health needs along with the necessary infrastructure for a top-notch national referral hospital.
Australia has also pledged to conduct a thorough engineering assessment of the current hospital building to ensure its operational capabilities while the redevelopment is underway. Ms. Wong expressed Australia’s commitment to improving healthcare services in Fiji, highlighting the desire to continue collaborating on this initiative.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed gratitude for the timely investment from Australia, underscoring the strong partnership between the two nations. “We are very grateful towards the Australian government for giving us money to be able to redevelop our hospital,” he stated.
Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services, confirmed that the agreement with the Australian government for the master plan has been signed. He outlined challenges concerning service provision during the repair process and emphasized the ministry’s strategic focus on maintaining services while addressing the hospital’s infrastructure needs.
Alison McKechnie, CEO of the winning tender team, declared the redevelopment master plan a top priority to ensure that Fijians receive quality healthcare. She thanked the Fijian government for its commitment to the project, which will strengthen the ties between Fiji and Australia. The CWM Hospital Master Plan aims to serve as a foundation for transformative changes in Fiji’s healthcare system.