President commends efforts of staff
Excerpts from his excellency President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere’s speech during the Centennial Celebration gala dinner and awards night last year.
PRESIDENT Ratu Wiliame Katonivere expressed heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated staff of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) Centennial Celebrations Gala dinner and awards night held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
President Katonivere highlighted that the event is the culmination of a series of centennial celebrations that recognises the 100th birthday of our beloved hospital that has done a lot for Fiji and the region.
“You are the reason why the hospital has withstood the test of time and continues to serve the people of Fiji despite the many challenges and obstacles that stood in your path,” Mr Katonivere said.
“Our flagship hospital has never stopped nor been dormant since December 1923. It has stood the test of time, evident during the COVID-19 pandemic and its current daily operations.
“Tonight, we acknowledge what we have achieved with CWM and that where we are today is possible through good collaboration, unparalleled commitment, and strong support from donor agencies, partners in health, business houses, civil societies, government stakeholders, the Ministry of Health and the staff of CWM Hospital.
Their confidence in our system motivates them to assist generously for the good of the people of Fiji and we are indeed grateful.”
President Katonivere highlighted key developments that currently boast a few milestones achieved so far:
❍ That is from 100 beds to 550 beds;
❍ from 27 staff to 1600 staff;
❍ from one double-story building to the four wings plus three satellite facilities;
❍ from delivering general services to now being the hub of specialist services in Fiji;
❍ from serving Fijians to now being the regional referral hospital;
❍ from housing the only medical school in the region to being the training hospital for two medical schools and three nursing schools;
❍ from a hospital with old equipment to some state-of-theart medical technologies;
❍ from manual records to having a patient information system; and
❍ from serving a population of 157,000 for Fiji to now serving around 350,000 only in the Lami Nausori corridor; and for being the pilot facility for some medical innovations.
The centennial celebration gala dinner was concluded with the presentation of awards where personnel were acknowledged for their contributions and the good work they have done during twenty-four seven all year around.
You are the reason why the hospital has withstood the test of time and continues to serve the people of Fiji
– Ratu Wiliame Katonivere