A new chapter
$14.7m support for CWM Hospital infrastructure
Last week Australia was proud to announce $14.7 million support to fund a comprehensive infrastructure masterplan for the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital. On Friday (March 15), I spoke alongside Dr Biman Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Atonio Lalabalavu, Minister for Health, at the signing event for the funding agreement. It was wonderful to see so many CWM staff at the event. It is important we continue to recognise the incredible efforts of the CWM staff, who work tirelessly to deliver the best possible care for patients, often under high stress and challenging circumstances. Standing in the middle of the original CWM building, a building that was constructed over 100 years ago, was a symbolic place to mark a new chapter in Fiji’s health sector.
We have all heard of the challenges being faced within the hospital given its ageing infrastructure. The growth in population across the Central Division has also heightened demand for health services at CWM, increasing pressure on the hospital’s facilities.
ON Friday, we gathered to mark the first step in working towards a new national hospital for Fiji so its staff can deliver better services to patients. This is what Vuvale is really about – people looking after each other.
As Prime Minister Rabuka recently stated, the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership is not about what Australia can do for Fiji, or about what Fiji can do for Australia, but rather about what we can achieve together.
Australia is committed to working with Fiji to deliver high quality infrastructure, with a strong focus on using locally sourced labour and materials.
Last month, I travelled to Vanua Levu with Mr Prasad to open schools that we have jointly reconstructed following damage from Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
We were warmly welcomed by the village communities and experienced first-hand the excitement of the students and teachers with the move to their new school. It was uplifting, enjoyable and brought home to us the importance of education to the future of Fijians wherever they live in this beautiful country.
I also recently travelled to Nadi with Infrastructure Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau to commission the newly constructed Vuniyasi bridge, a critical piece of infrastructure that has been built two metres above the old bridge to withstand the impacts of climate change. Throughout the recent flooding in Nadi, this bridge has helped to ensure safe passage and continued connectivity, despite the heavy rains.
The commissioning was a great opportunity to see the results of the work of local people in the construction of a very important piece of infrastructure for Fiji. The high quality of their work was there for all of us to see and we were all proud to be part of the opening event.
Australia’s partnering with Fiji to develop an infrastructure master plan for CWM is yet another example of how we are working together. The master plan means Australia and Fiji will work in partnership to comprehensively chart the course toward Fiji’s new hospital – assessing clinical service needs of patients, workforce requirements of staff, environmental assessments and infrastructure planning.
This is a big piece of work. It will not be delivered overnight. But it is the critical first step in planning out what a new hospital for Fiji will look like.
While the new hospital will take time, much is being done to ensure continuity of care at CWM. Jointly with the Fiji Government, Australia is investing in infrastructure at the current hospital to ensure it can continue to operate until a replacement becomes a reality.
We are currently conducting a detailed engineering assessment of the issues being faced in the operating theatres and surrounding wards. We recognise the importance of bringing these operating theatres back online as quickly as possible.
We are also supporting other work across CWM to ease patient flows and support the delivery of health services. This includes improving clinical governance and infection prevention and control, so that patients are protected from further infections.
Australia is pleased that through our ongoing health program, we are able to support the upgrading of taps, sinks and equipment. We have also supported the recruitment and training of a national cadre of clinical governance professionals, working across four hospitals, to improve patient care.
I am pleased the Doherty Institute in my home city of Melbourne is supporting the CWM executive team to strengthen the performance of the hospital, particularly in the areas of patient safety and quality care.
Melbourne, like Fiji, had a tough time during COVID lockdowns. Through this time, we developed a deeper respect and appreciation for all frontline service delivery staff, but particularly healthcare workers and teachers.
I want to particularly acknowledge the dedication of Fiji’s healthcare workers throughout the COVID-19 crisis. You saved countless lives and your service during that time was commendable and hugely appreciated. Vinaka vakalevu.
Friday’s event also presented an opportunity to recognise the six CWM staff who have recently graduated with an Australian certificate in the Foundations of Infection Prevention and Control. I have no doubt their newly acquired skills will be put to good use.
Fiji’s current budget allocation - the highest amount attributed to the health sector - is a clear demonstration of the priority that has been placed on healthcare by the Fiji Government. Australia is pleased to be partnering with the government on this important priority.
The completion of the CWM infrastructure master plan will rely on the help of our key partners. It was great to see both the World Bank and Asian Development Bank represented at last week’s event. Their support and expertise through the provision of technical assistance and guidance will be a key aspect of the plan’s development.
Our ongoing co-operation with Fiji to support the country’s healthcare needs reflects the deep partnership between Australia and Fiji — a family partnership where we jointly commit to working together on Fiji’s priorities. We are proud to have added the CWM masterplan as one of our Vuvale priorities.