A substantial increase in the 2025-2026 National Budget aims to transform Fiji’s healthcare landscape, allowing the health ministry to significantly improve public health infrastructure and medical services. The ministry’s budget has risen to over $600 million, an increase from the previous allocation of $540 million.
In a strategic move, an additional investment of nearly $1 billion is being mobilized to construct a new national hospital and modernize other critical health facilities. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Professor Biman Prasad, highlighted that the operational budget for the health ministry has been raised to $466 million. This funding is aimed at covering vital expenditures such as staff salaries, procurement of medicines, and maintenance of healthcare facilities.
Reflecting on recent successes, Professor Prasad mentioned that over the last two years, more than 200 maintenance and upgrade projects were completed across various health centers and hospitals nationwide. A key component of the government’s Clinical Services Plan is the planned increase of bed capacity at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) from 453 to 703 beds to address the growing demand for healthcare services.
Further government efforts include prioritizing $63 million for essential repairs to the existing CWM Hospital, partially supported by funding from the Australian Government. To enhance support for kidney dialysis patients, the budget has increased subsidies for these services to $4.7 million. Additionally, rural and maritime health facilities will see $1.2 million allocated for new mortuary units.
Professor Prasad emphasized the importance of targeted accessibility for low-income earners, extending services to all social welfare pensioners and kidney dialysis patients. The government has ensured a commitment of $26 million in support, which will be further reviewed in the upcoming financial year to mitigate potential abuse of the system.
The ambitious plans for the new national hospital, estimated to cost around $2 billion, are currently in progress with ongoing site selection and financing arrangements. Furthermore, a total of $117 million has been allocated for the operations and maintenance of Health Care Fiji’s Lautoka and Ba hospitals through Public-Private Partnerships.
The government continues to explore partnerships with the private sector to enhance tertiary healthcare services. Professor Prasad mentioned an agreement under review, supported by the International Finance Corporation, to promote cost-effectiveness and the provision of quality services. Under the free medical scheme, public-private partnerships include collaboration with over 64 general practitioners and dental providers, ensuring free medical services are accessible to citizens.
The strategic allocation of resources in this budget signifies a concerted effort to fortify Fiji’s healthcare system and is paired with a hopeful outlook for enhanced service delivery and public health outcomes in the future. Through continued investments in healthcare infrastructure and services, Fiji is poised to embark on a journey toward a healthier future for its citizens.
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