The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, announced that the construction of a new National Rehabilitation Centre has received the green light from both the Government of Fiji and its Korean counterpart. This new facility will replace the aging Tamavua Military Hospital, which previously served as the Tamavua Rehabilitation Facility.
Dr. Lalabalavu highlighted that the Cabinet has approved a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to establish Fiji’s National Rehabilitation Centre. KOICA is set to contribute a grant of $22.2 million for this project.
Over the past ten months, the Ministry of Health has collaborated closely with KOICA to prepare the site, with plans for the KOICA Construction Team to commence work in January. Additionally, the Latter-Day Saints Charity has pledged $300,000 to facilitate the temporary relocation of the rehabilitation services to Twomey Hospital during construction.
The Government has also earmarked $400,000 for the demolition and preparation of the site for the forthcoming rehabilitation hospital.