Proactive management and better allocation of resources are seen as essential steps towards improving service delivery not just at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) but across various health centers in Fiji. Adi Narayan, chairperson of the Fiji Boxing Association and with two decades of experience in the healthcare sector, has called attention to the need for immediate action to address ongoing challenges, including aging infrastructure, poor service delivery, and management failures.
Narayan shared insights from his time as executive director in the Cook Islands’ healthcare system, where he successfully implemented online systems to streamline operations at Rarotonga Hospital. He emphasized the importance of enhancing working conditions for staff, noting that improvements in morale and motivation will lead to better services for patients. He outlined that the systems implemented in the Cook Islands, which transitioned from manual to digital operations, resulted in increased efficiency.
Current challenges at CWMH include overcrowding, limited medical supplies, and inadequate facilities, issues echoed in previous reports emphasizing that the hospital is grappling with a host of infrastructural failures, which have worsened over the years. Concerns have been raised about malfunctioning lifts, lack of adequate maternity beds, and even patients being asked to purchase medications from private pharmacies due to stock shortages.
Narayan criticized both the previous and current governments for failing to resolve these systemic issues, urging the current administration to take stock of the problems and prioritize solutions. He believes that the substantial budget allocations could address some of these issues; however, immediate attention is necessary. Day-to-day problems like broken doors and leaking roofs should not wait for major international aid.
With ongoing initiatives such as a $14.7 million redevelopment project from the Australian government aimed at upgrading CWMH’s infrastructure, there is cautious optimism for future improvements. Community advocates and healthcare professionals alike are pushing for systematic reforms that can enhance healthcare access and delivery.
In this context, Narayan’s advocacy for improved management practices and infrastructure highlights a collective hope among citizens and healthcare workers for a better functioning health system, one that serves the needs of the Fijian population effectively and sustainably. The growing dialogue around healthcare reform, coupled with community involvement and government action, presents a pathway towards revitalizing Fiji’s healthcare landscape.
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