Gavin Whiteside, the CEO of ASPEN Medical, has recognized that significant improvements are still needed at Lautoka Hospital. This acknowledgment follows a complaint from visitor Rakesh Sharma, who pointed out the poor condition of the Trauma Ward facilities, including a non-functioning air conditioning unit, broken floor tiles, dirty ceiling fans, damaged armchairs, and outdated mattresses. Sharma described the overall atmosphere as drab and dismal.
Earlier in June, Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad informed Parliament that the government allocates nearly $10 million monthly for services at the Aspen-managed Ba and Lautoka hospitals, which account for more than one-fifth of the national health budget. He also mentioned that the Fiji National Provident Fund was instructed to acquire an 80 percent stake in Health Care Fiji Pte Ltd (HCF) as part of a public-private partnership deal back in 2019.
In line with the public-private partnership, Aspen has committed to delivering healthcare that meets international standards for residents in the Western Division. Whiteside noted that the focus is on prioritizing healthcare improvements and investing in advanced equipment, staff training, and expanded services, including cardiac surgery, mammography, pathology, and pediatric care.
The immediate priorities include replacing the hospital’s roof and undertaking major renovations to facilitate the installation of an MRI and cath lab, along with enhancements to the Emergency Department. Whiteside stated that while progress has been made, there is still much to accomplish and requested the community’s patience and support during these essential upgrades.