The Australian Government has appointed Johnstaff International Development to develop the master plan for the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in collaboration with GHD, Silver Thomas Hanley, and International SOS Australia.
During the announcement, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, praised the dedication and skills of health professionals in Fiji, acknowledging their daily contributions to the community. She emphasized the shared belief between Australia and Fiji that healthcare should be accessible to all citizens, regardless of their background, and stated that when Fiji sought assistance to enhance its healthcare, Australia responded promptly.
Senator Wong expressed her satisfaction in revealing that Johnstaff International Development was chosen after a competitive procurement process. She noted the significance of the original hospital, established over a century ago, and addressed the urgent need for improvements in health services, which prompted a commitment to performing a detailed engineering assessment of the current facilities to ensure they can still serve the people of Fiji during the development of the master plan.
Australia expressed pride in supporting this initiative and highlighted the depth of its partnership with Fiji, aiming to enhance healthcare services and foster peace and prosperity in the region. Senator Wong described the Vuvale partnership as rooted in trust and respect, representing a collaboration between equals.
In response, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed profound gratitude on behalf of Fiji for the Australian Government’s generous funding towards the redevelopment of the CWM Hospital. He noted that the hospital honors the valiant Fijian soldiers who fought for global peace during wartime, with their names prominently displayed for visitors at the entrance, symbolizing the hospital’s dedication to their legacy.
PM Rabuka concluded by highlighting the collaborative progress being made and the importance of this partnership, which will be recognized globally.