The Priority Infrastructure Planning (PIP) Report for the re-development and master plan project for Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) was officially launched this morning.
The report has been put together by a technical team of experts and infrastructural engineers, after a thorough assessment of the existing infrastructure.
Officiating the event, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted that the report identifies the immediate work requirements for the hospital while the master plan is being developed for the longer term.
“The implementation of the recommended actions and works in the report will ensure that the existing CWM Hospital continues to serve the people of Suva and Fiji for the next few years while the structural and layout works continue until the new CWM Hospital becomes operational,” stated the PM.
“A major reason for the dilapidated state of public infrastructure such as CWM Hospital is poor maintenance planning and work over the years. It has contributed to the deterioration of the facilities, to the stage where, when repairs are needed, they are major and expensive, like we are seeing with CWM Hospital and other government premises.”
Outlining the National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 and Vision 2050, PM Rabuka reaffirmed the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving health care by modernising and maintaining healthcare facilities to meet increasing demands for quality health services that the people of Fiji deserve.
The Government’s efforts to upgrade CWM Hospital are strongly supported through its partnership with Australia.
Last year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad and the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Ewen McDonald, signed a funding agreement worth $14.7 million to support the hospital’s redevelopment master plan.
“I acknowledge with gratitude the Australian Government for their continued support through the elevated ‘VUVALE Partnership’. Through this strategic partnership, work is being progressed to improve the health and wellbeing of our people,” the Prime Minister added.
In his concluding remarks, PM Rabuka called for continued collaboration between hospital staff, community partners, and stakeholders to support these important infrastructure improvements.
