The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services significantly, supported by a $14.7 million investment from Australia. This funding, announced by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting, will be allocated towards the hospital’s redevelopment master plan.
Minister Wong recognized the pressing need for renovations at CWM Hospital, stating, “Australia is investing $14.7 million to develop this master plan.” The initiative aims to create a comprehensive blueprint for the hospital, ensuring continuous medical services while transforming it into a modern healthcare facility.
JohnStaff International Development (JID), an Australian firm, has been appointed as the leading consultant for the master plan, which is expected to take 12 to 14 months to complete. Wong emphasized the importance of the plan, saying, “The master plan will assist the future health needs of Fiji, its workforce, and the infrastructure required for a high-quality national referral hospital.”
While the master plan is in development, Australia has committed to conducting an urgent engineering assessment of the existing hospital building to ensure it can continue operations during renovations. Wong expressed Australia’s commitment to improving healthcare services, stating, “We want to keep working with you to develop better services and more inclusive opportunities.”
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka praised the Australian government for its timely support, 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 and Medical Services Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed the agreement with Australia for the redevelopment, emphasizing the need for an infrastructure assessment. He noted the challenges of providing services during the repair process, particularly regarding space.
Alison McKechnie, CEO of the winning tender, underscored the importance of the redevelopment master plan, stating it would be prioritized to ensure high-quality healthcare for Fijians. She acknowledged the Fijian government’s commitment to this significant project, which reflects the strong ties between Fiji and Australia. The CWM Hospital Master Plan is anticipated to bring about transformative changes in Fiji’s healthcare landscape.