The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services, positioning itself as a leading healthcare facility in the region, with the aid of Australia. On Wednesday, Australia revealed a significant investment of $14.7 million aimed at the hospital’s redevelopment master plan.
During her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong announced the funding. She highlighted the urgent need for renovations at CWM Hospital and stated that the investment will create a comprehensive master plan to ensure continuous services and upgrade the facility into a modern medical center.
JohnStaff International Development (JID), an Australian-owned firm, will oversee the development of the master plan, which is expected to take 12 to 14 months to complete. Wong emphasized that the plan will cater to Fiji’s future healthcare needs and enhance the infrastructure required for a high-quality national referral hospital.
Australia is also undertaking a detailed engineering assessment of the current hospital building to ensure it remains operational during the redevelopment phase. Wong expressed Australia’s commitment to improving healthcare services in Fiji and maintaining collaborative efforts.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka praised Australia for its timely support, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two nations. He expressed gratitude for the financial assistance aimed at redeveloping the hospital.
Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu announced that the agreement with the Australian government for the redevelopment project has been signed. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the hospital’s current condition and stressed the importance of strategically managing repairs while maintaining services.
Alison McKechnie, CEO of the successful tendering firm, prioritized the redevelopment plan to ensure high-quality healthcare for Fijians. She recognized the significance of this project as a testament to the strong ties between Fiji and Australia, asserting that the CWM Hospital Master Plan represents a critical step toward transformative healthcare in Fiji.