FIJI will establish its first National Alcohol and Drug Recovery Centre in Tamavua with a US$10million ($F22m) grant from the Government of the Republic of Korea over six years.
Permanent secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Aalisha Sahukhan said the signing of the Record of Discussions with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) marked a historic milestone in addressing the country’s growing alcohol and substance abuse challenges.
“For a long time, Fiji has faced a growing challenge with alcohol and substance use,” Dr Sahukhan said.
“Families have struggled, and individuals have suffered because we lacked a dedicated, nationwide facility to help people truly heal, recover, and rebuild their lives.”
She said the new facility would address limitations at St Giles Hospital, which currently lacked the space, resources and specialised facilities to operate a full-scale rehabilitation program.
“While our team at St Giles Hospital does incredible work every day, they simply do not have the space, the specific resources, or the specialised setup to run a full-scale rehabilitation program. This new centre in Tamavua will completely change that.”
The Korean grant will fund construction of a modern facility, essential medical equipment and specialised training for healthcare workers.
Dr Sahukhan said the aim was to ensure people across Fiji, including those in remote maritime and rural communities, could access rehabilitation services.
She said following Cabinet’s approval, the project would be implemented in stages, with government ministries working together to determine long-term funding, staffing and infrastructure requirements. Medical and public health teams will also establish working groups to develop practical guidelines and community networks.
“Together, we are not just building a facility; we are building a place of hope, healing, and second chances for our people.”
