The Health and Medical Services Minister, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, has announced that the establishment of a new National Rehabilitation Centre has received approval from both the Government of Fiji and Korea. This new facility will replace the outdated Tamavua Military Hospital, previously known as the Tamavua Rehabilitation Facility.
Dr. Lalabalavu explained that the Cabinet has endorsed an agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to facilitate the development of the National Rehabilitation Centre in Fiji. KOICA will contribute a grant-in-aid of $22.2 million for this project.
Over the past ten months, the Ministry of Health and KOICA have collaborated closely to prepare the site, aiming for the KOICA Construction Team to commence work in January. Additionally, the Latter-Day Saints Charity has expressed its intention to provide $300,000 to assist with the temporary relocation of the rehabilitation services to Twomey Hospital during the construction period.
The Government has also set aside $400,000 for the demolition and preparation of the site for the new rehabilitation facility.