The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to enhance its medical services significantly, thanks to a $14.7 million investment from Australia. This announcement was made by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong during her visit to Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Affairs Meeting.
Wong recognized the necessity for the hospital’s renovation, stating that the investment will contribute to a comprehensive master plan for the facility. The objective is to create a modern medical center that maintains uninterrupted services.
JohnStaff International Development, an Australian firm, will lead the development of the master plan, which is anticipated to take 12 to 14 months to complete. Wong noted that the plan would cater to Fiji’s future health needs and improve infrastructure for a high-quality national referral hospital.
Additionally, Australia has pledged to conduct an urgent engineering assessment of the current hospital structure, ensuring continued operations during the master plan’s development. Wong expressed Australia’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services in Fiji.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed gratitude for the timely support from Australia, highlighting the strong partnership between the two nations. Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu also shared his excitement about the signed agreement for the redevelopment, focusing on addressing the existing challenges while upgrading the hospital’s infrastructure.
Alison McKechnie, CEO of the winning tender, reaffirmed the importance of the redevelopment plan to provide Fijians with high-quality healthcare, emphasizing the project as a testament to the strong relations between Fiji and Australia. The CWM Hospital Master Plan aims to create a blueprint for future healthcare transformation in Fiji.