The Australian Government has chosen 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.
During the announcement, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong, commended the skilled healthcare professionals in Fiji and expressed gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the community. She emphasized the belief that healthcare should be accessible to all citizens, a principle shared by both Australia and Fiji.
Wong noted that Fiji’s request for assistance in enhancing its healthcare system led to this partnership. She expressed pleasure in announcing that Johnstaff International Development had been selected after a competitive procurement process, highlighting the hospital’s historical significance, as it has been in operation for over a century.
The Minister recognized the urgent need for improvement in health services, stating that an immediate and thorough engineering assessment of the existing hospital facilities would be conducted to ensure they can continue to serve the community during the master plan’s development phase.
Wong reiterated Australia’s commitment to supporting Fiji in providing better healthcare and fostering opportunities that promote regional peace and prosperity.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed gratitude towards Australia for its generous funding of the CWM Hospital’s redevelopment. He highlighted the hospital’s name, which commemorates the Fijian soldiers who served in wartime, and noted the engraved names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the hospital’s entrance.
Rabuka affirmed that this partnership signifies the significant progress achieved together, which will serve as a model for global collaboration.