$22m for centre

PM thanks Korea for rehabilitation facility

A NEW rehabilitation centre will soon take shape, replacing the old, dilapidated facilities located at Tamavua’s Twomey Hospital, says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

“As per the arrangements, the Korean Government through KOICA, will provide grant in aid of not more than $US10 million ($F22.2m).

“The project is expected to commence this year and we’re looking forward to that major project getting underway and completed.”

Mr Rabuka said Cabinet had approved a subsidiary arrangement between Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) to establish the Fiji National Rehabilitation Centre.

“You know that we have had one running in Tamavua, this will replace that old, dilapidated one. We wish to place on record our gratitude to the Government and people of Korea through KOICA for this very timely project,” he said.

“The old rehabilitation centre at Twomey Hospital in Tamavua has been declared as non-compliant with OHS requirements mainly due to non-maintenance of the buildings and facilities. You know the buildings were built decades ago.

The Health Ministry is expected to shoulder the initial operational cost to demolish the old rehabilitation centre as well as the cost for site preparation, relocation cost of moving health services of the old rehabilitation centre to the Tamavua Twomey Hospital.

The Fiji Government, through the Health Ministry, will also facilitate other administrative measures for the design and construction of the building.