Tiko resigns to revive tertiary hospital vision
New Generation Party acting leader, Varinava Tiko, has resigned from his position and from the party effective yesterday.
This is after taking on a new role in establishing Prime Health Enterprises’ (South Pacific) tertiary hospital. He has been appointed director operations.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Tiko acknowledged the founders of the political party for offering him the opportunity in the role.
NGP was one of the new political parties in the 2022 General Elections race. It garnered 964 votes. Mr Tiko secured 443 votes.
“I’m obligated to pursue the establishment of a Tertiary Hospital Project to bring into Fiji and the Pacific an Internationally Accredited World-Class Tertiary Hospital.
“It has always been my intention to safeguard the iTaukei from losing out on great opportunities that empower our future generation and fulfilling our participation in economic growth mandated in Chapter 32 of our 2013 Constitution.
“To this regard, I’m taking this proactive approach towards achieving what is best for all Fijians, that is by working together with this coalition government, to bring to the Pacific Internationally Accredited Tertiary Healthcare systems and doctors with the right credentials and track record.”
Background
According to its website, Prime Health Enterprises (South Pacific) was formed in 1985 in cooperation with ‘Sisters of Mercy Health Corporation’ during which time the late Prime Minister, Ratu Kamisese Mara, gave full support to have a tertiary hospital built in the foreshore of Suva.
However, over span of more than three decades, the vision to build the hospital failed mostly due to economic and financial reasons. But Mr Tiko is adamant is reviving the dream of establishing the hospital adding: “As my late friend and former Prime Minister of Fiji, Honorable Laisenia Qarase would have done; to include Provincial Holding Companies in the Prime Health Hospital Project that was in the ‘Na Yavutu’ Trust plan for equitable intervention since 2018, a Trust created to economically empower the majority of us feeding under the table from the leftover crumbs of those powerful few controlling our economic development at the table top.”