The Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) in Fiji has received a $14.7 million redevelopment master plan contract awarded to the Australian firm Johnstaff International Development (JID) after a competitive procurement process, according to Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong. The master plan aims to evaluate Fiji’s future health requirements along with the necessary workforce and infrastructure to enhance the quality of the national referral hospital.
This announcement comes at a crucial time as Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu highlighted in Parliament that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a significant challenge for Fiji’s healthcare system. In 2019, the financial burden of deaths and disabilities from NCDs, like diabetes and obesity-related conditions, was estimated at $591 million.
In other news, former FijiFirst MP Alvick Maharaj stated he has yet to receive a response from the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding his appeal against the deregistration of his party, under the Political Parties Act.
Moreover, Finance Minister Prof. Biman Prasad expressed optimism for Fiji’s economy, predicting a growth exceeding three percent this year, largely attributed to new non-stop flights from Fiji Airways to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The Reserve Bank of Fiji previously revised the country’s GDP growth forecast down to 2.8 percent.
On the sports front, Fijian striker Veleni Rasorewa showcased an impressive performance at the Oceania Football Confederation U16 men’s competition in Papeete, Tahiti. His two goals in the semi-finals against Tahiti propelled Fiji into the final against New Zealand, while also securing a place for the Baby Bula Boys at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar next year. The match is set for Saturday in Tahiti, which corresponds to Sunday in Fiji.
Reflecting on past achievements, there is hope that the Fiji Football Association will focus on developing young talent like Rasorewa for future competitions, particularly with an eye toward qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, a goal that has yet to be realized despite Fiji’s long history in international football. The current FIFA world ranking places Fiji at 153, trailing behind New Zealand and the Solomon Islands, while Tahiti and New Caledonia also rank higher. The ultimate aim remains to prepare these young athletes to represent Fiji on a global stage and fulfill the dream of World Cup qualification.