The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services significantly, aided by a $14.7 million investment from Australia. This funding commitment was announced by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, during her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting.
Wong emphasized the necessity of renovating CWM Hospital, stating, “Australia is investing $14.7 million to develop this master plan.” The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive redevelopment plan that will ensure continuous medical services while transforming the hospital into a modern healthcare facility.
The redevelopment project will be spearheaded by JohnStaff International Development, an Australian-owned consultancy, which is expected to complete the master plan within 12 to 14 months. Wong noted that this plan will cater to the future health needs of Fiji, focusing on workforce requirements and infrastructure improvements for the national referral hospital.
In addition to the master plan, Australia has pledged to conduct an urgent engineering assessment of the existing hospital structure to ensure it remains operational during the redevelopment.
Wong expressed Australia’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services in Fiji, saying, “We are wanted to keep working with you to develop better services and more inclusive opportunities.”
Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, praised the investment, highlighting the strong partnership between Australia and Fiji. He stated, “We are very grateful towards the Australian government for giving us money to be able to redevelop our hospital.”
Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed that an agreement has been signed with the Australian government regarding the master plan’s redevelopment. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the hospital’s current condition and emphasized the need for strategic planning to ensure ongoing service while repairs are made.
Alison McKechnie, CEO of the winning tender, stated that the redevelopment plan would be their top priority to ensure high-quality healthcare for Fijians. She recognized the collaboration between the Fijian government and Australia, asserting that the CWM Hospital Master Plan would pave the way for significant improvements in Fiji’s healthcare system.