Electricity upgrade works at Labasa Hospital are delaying the reopening of key services as renovations continue in the Children’s Ward. Acting medical superintendent Dr. Mikaele Mua said the main bottleneck is the hospital’s electrical upgrade, which also prevents the CT scan unit from going live. The hospital is awaiting the purchase and installation of a new transformer, with the Public Works Department handling the technical scope. There is no confirmed completion date yet, but Dr. Mua noted that work is progressing. In the meantime, patients needing CT scans are being referred to other facilities.
This delay follows more than a year of renovation-related disruptions in the Children’s Ward, largely driven by electrical capacity limits and aging wiring. Pediatric patients were temporarily accommodated in the TB Ward and other areas to maintain continuity of care. Earlier this year, authorities confirmed Energy Fiji Ltd had approved the resumption of electrical work, with officials expressing optimism about reopening once contractors and the Asset Management Unit finalize compliance checks.
The CT scan machine itself has been installed for some time, but has remained idle pending the upgraded power supply and transformer connection. Government leaders previously explained that only a fraction of the allocated upgrade budget could be used because the hospital’s electrical system could not safely support new equipment loads. EFL was engaged to survey the entire facility, and officials outlined plans to contract out the electrical package to accelerate completion. Separately, earlier policy changes saw a temporary pause in government coverage for CT scans at private providers in Labasa while outstanding dues were addressed—adding to the urgency of completing the hospital’s own CT service.
Why the transformer matters: CT scanners and other modern hospital equipment require stable, high-capacity power and clean electrical quality. Upgrades typically include new switchgear, cabling, grounding, and protection systems, followed by safety testing and certification before clinical use. After the transformer is installed, the hospital will still need final compliance checks and commissioning to ensure patient and staff safety.
What this means for patients now:
– CT scans: Continue to seek referrals through the hospital; ask about available options and expected turnaround times.
– Pediatric care: Services remain available in temporary locations while the Children’s Ward refurbishment is finalized.
A hopeful outlook: Although the timeline remains open, the transformer procurement and coordinated work by PWD and EFL are concrete steps toward completion. Once commissioned, the upgraded electrical backbone should make services more reliable, allow the CT unit to operate as intended, and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families who have had to use private imaging.
Additional comments to add value:
– Clear weekly public updates from the hospital on transformer delivery, installation, and testing milestones would help families plan care.
– If feasible, interim agreements with private providers at negotiated rates could ease financial strain until the hospital’s CT service is commissioned.
– Staging reopening—such as bringing the Children’s Ward back online as soon as compliance is met, while finalizing other electrical tie-ins—could restore care capacity sooner.
Summary:
– Renovations at Labasa Hospital’s Children’s Ward are ongoing; electrical upgrades are the main cause of delay.
– The CT scan unit remains offline pending installation of a new transformer and final compliance checks.
– PWD is managing technical work; no fixed completion date yet, but progress continues.
– Patients needing CT scans are being referred to other facilities.
– Upgrades should deliver safer, more reliable power for modern equipment and improve service access once complete.
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