The Australian Government has appointed Johnstaff International Development to implement the master plan for the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital, collaborating with GHD, Silver Thomas Hanley, and International SOS Australia.
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, announced the decision and praised the dedicated and skilled health professionals in Fiji. She emphasized the shared belief between Australia and Fiji that healthcare is a fundamental right for all citizens. In response to Fiji’s request for assistance in enhancing its healthcare system, the Australian government took action.
Senator Wong expressed her satisfaction with the selection of Johnstaff International Development through a competitive procurement process. She noted the urgency of improving health services at CWM Hospital, which has been in existence for over a century. Wong mentioned the commitment to conduct an immediate engineering assessment of the current hospital buildings to ensure they continue to serve the Fiji population during the development and implementation of the master plan.
Wong conveyed Australia’s pride in supporting the redevelopment of the CWM Hospital and the strength of the partnership with Fiji, aimed at enhancing services and promoting prosperity in the region.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed gratitude to the Australian Government for its generous funding in the hospital’s redevelopment. He highlighted the significance of the hospital’s name, honoring the Fijian soldiers who served during the war, with their names displayed at the entrance as a tribute. Rabuka noted that this partnership showcases the meaningful progress being made together, which will be recognized globally.