The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services, positioning itself as a leading healthcare facility in the region, thanks to a significant investment from Australia.
On Wednesday, Australia announced a $14.7 million commitment for the hospital’s redevelopment master plan. This funding was revealed by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting.
Wong highlighted the importance of upgrading CWM Hospital. “Australia is investing $14.7 million to develop this master plan,” she stated. The goal of this investment is to create a comprehensive blueprint for the hospital, ensuring continuous service delivery while transforming it into a modern medical center.
JohnStaff International Development, an Australian firm, will lead the consulting efforts for the master plan, which is expected to span 12 to 14 months. Wong emphasized that this initiative would cater to the future health needs of Fiji, supporting both its workforce and infrastructure requirements for a high-standard national referral hospital.
Additionally, Australia has pledged to conduct a thorough engineering assessment of the current hospital structure. This will guarantee that the facility remains operational while the master plan is designed and executed. “Australia is pleased to undertake this work and is honored to collaborate on improving services and expanding opportunities,” Wong remarked.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed gratitude to the Australian government for its timely assistance, highlighting the strong partnership between Australia and Fiji. “We are very thankful for the funding aimed at redeveloping our hospital,” Rabuka commented.
Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, Fiji’s Minister for Health and Medical Services, noted the signing of the agreement with Australia for the redevelopment, stating, “We will explore how to redevelop our hospital, including infrastructure assessments.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by the current hospital’s condition and emphasized the need for strategic planning to ensure continued service during repairs.
Alison McKechnie, CEO of the winning tender, stated that the redevelopment master plan would be their primary focus to ensure that Fijians have access to quality healthcare. She recognized the Fijian Government’s commitment to this vital project, which underscores the strong ties between Fiji and Australia. “The CWM Hospital Master Plan will outline a transformative future for healthcare in Fiji,” McKechnie concluded.