The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services and become one of the top healthcare facilities in the region, with significant support from Australia. The Australian government announced a $14.7 million investment for the redevelopment master plan of the hospital.
Penny Wong, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, made the announcement during her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting. She highlighted the importance of modernizing CWM Hospital, stating, “Australia is investing $14.7 million to develop this master plan.”
The investment will create a comprehensive blueprint for the hospital, ensuring continuous services while upgrading it to a modern medical center. The project will be developed by Australian firm JohnStaff International Development, which is set to take approximately 12 to 14 months.
Wong emphasized that the master plan would address Fiji’s future health requirements, workforce needs, and the necessary infrastructure for a quality national referral hospital. She noted the urgency of the project by stating, “If you walk through this hospital and talk to staff, it’s clear that we can’t wait for the completion of that process.”
Additionally, Australia has pledged to conduct a thorough engineering assessment of the current hospital facilities to ensure uninterrupted operations during the redevelopment. Wong expressed commitment to ongoing collaboration, stating, “Australia is pleased to deliver on this work and we want to keep working with you to develop better services.”
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka praised the Australian government’s timely investment, reflecting on the strong partnership between Australia and Fiji. “We are very grateful towards the Australian government for giving us money to be able to redevelop our hospital,” said Rabuka.
Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, announced that the agreement between the Australian government and Fiji regarding the redevelopment has been signed. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining service during the overhaul but affirmed a strategic approach to manage repairs while continuing operations.
Alison McKechnie, the CEO of the winning tender, emphasized that the redevelopment master plan is now a priority to ensure high-quality healthcare for Fijians. She recognized the collaboration between the Fijian government and Australia as crucial for the project, stating, “The CWM Hospital Master Plan will provide a blueprint for transformational change in the future of healthcare in Fiji.”