GOVERNMENT has signed an agreement with the Australian government to work on a master plan for a new national hospital, says the Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad.
While opening the VanMed Labs in Wailevu yesterday, Professor Prasad said Australia had provided a grant of $15million for this project.
“The grant was to also upgrade the Colonial War Memorial Hospital,” he said.
Professor Prasad said this was apart of the funds allocated in the 2023-2024 budget for the renovation work of the hospital.
“A total of $16.4million was allocated for the upgrade and the maintenance of urban and other hospitals.
“This included institutional quarters and improvements of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.”
The health centres in the Northern Division, he said, were also receiving a facelift.
“This was particularly the construction of duplex for the Naduri Health Centre and the waiting area for the Coqela Nursing Station.”
The significant increase in the allocation in the Ministry of Health’s budget, he said, was to improve the deteriorating health infrastructure.
“The total allocation for the health sector was $453.7million which was a significant increase of about $58.6million for the health sector.
“We made sure that we paid significant attention and particular attention to making sure that we improve our health services.
As part of this, he said was the current Public Private Partnership Scheme which had grown into a significant part of the provision for medical services for the people.
“The current public private partnership scheme was started as a COVID measure.”
“One of the things that we as a Government have realised, is that we need to work together with the private sector and all stakeholders.
“Partnership with the private sector, non-governmental organisations and community groups is absolutely vital.”
