$14.7m lifeline for CWM Hospital
I am delighted to learn that the Coalition Government has been able to secure a $14.7million grant from the Australian Government. This is a huge breakthrough after years of sluggish operations at our national hospital. Thank you Australia for this generous grant. CWMH is the nation’s largest hospital and a training centre for doctors and nurses. Therefore, it should be the best in the region with the latest medical technology. However, there is a gaping inaptitude on part of the planners and the administrators who have mismanaged the resources or simply did not have the capacity to do so. I have no idea of the current upgrade plans, but I assume that massive infrastructural developments will take place. Such as building a modern parking lot (a multi-storey building with lifts on user pay basis) for the clients, constructing a new NDC (National Diabetes Center) and widening roads to reduce perpetual traffic congestions, upgrading the kitchen facilities and the installation of a modern laundry, a better pharmacy, a modern canteen, better garbage disposal system and providing facilities for the disabled persons. I am sure tha toilets will not be forgotten in the master plan. At the moment it is in a disgraceful situation. Shortage of beds is a serious problem at the CWMH as we often see patients sleeping in the corridors. This is perhaps a reflection of a very sick nation. I do not know if the current plan has a new wing in the pipeline to create more beds. Sitting arrangements outside clinics should be improved. At the moment it is very uncomfortable and downright unacceptable. Our doctors and nurses do a commendable job serving the sick. They need to have good restroom facilities. It will be good for retaining their services and morale. In conclusion, all Fijians express their deep gratitude for this upgrade. DEWAN CHAND Namadi Heights, Suva
Removal of sign board
The sign board at one end of Vitogo Pde in Lautoka to stop heavy goods trucks using this main route has been removed. Trucks were not allowed along Vitogo Pde, but now they have become a threat to other vehicles and pedestrians. I urge Fiji Roads Authority to consider replacing it with another signboard and strictly monitor the illegal use of this route. DAVID SUSHIL LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
No live Test rugby
As rugby fans we installed and paid for our Sky TV for international rugby. It is very sad that last weekend’s games — Wallabies v South Africa and All Blacks vs Argentina — were not televised live. There are lots of useless programs on Sky TV which could have been substituted with live rugby last weekend. We hope to watch live international rugby this weekend.
Hope to get out money’s worth from SKY TV. MAIKA TABUKOVU Cunningham
School rugby
Our two female journalists Talei Matairakula and Sainimili Magimagi are commended for the wonderful coverage of the 2024 Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Vodafone Super Deans Rugby Championship. I could not stop smiling, as I read the stories from the quarter-finals that were played at a jam-packed HFC Bank Stadium. Seeing schools from the North and rural schools and the support they received made my day. I saw parents and guardians from schools like Dawasamu Secondary, Holy Cross, Navatu, Bucalevu and the likes making their way into the Stadium, Bidesi and Buckhurst in their coloured outfits. They spent so much to make the ride across to the mainland, such is the passion and pride for rugby. This is the impact of the Deans. Then there were supporters of the bigger schools like RKS, QVS, Marist, MGM and Suva Grammar. I salute Indra Singh and his FBC team for covering the quarters free of charge on FBC. The talents that were shown indicates that the future of rugby is bright, but I’m bewildered when I think about the performance of our junior ruggers who take part in the championship and the way they are beaten by minnows like Spain and Georgia and thrashed by England, South Africa and Argentina. The Deans competition should be the pathway for international competitions. This is the way forward for Fiji rugby. Thank you so much Fred Wesley and the sports team for the coverage! I saw Sophie Ralulu on the ground, so I’m sure this week’s Kaila newspaper will have extensive coverage. These stories are worth reading. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Great of all time
From what I have heard over the years, I understand Augustine Thoman was the greatest of all Fiji soccer players in Fiji (GOAT) of Fiji. I do respect all other good players. Would like to see some comments. AJAY SINGH Natabua, Lautoka
Bikes and vehicles
Is it legal for motorbikes to go between vehicles (lane splitting)? Just the other day I saw a motorcycle zooming past between two vehicles going in the same direction two lanes. How safe is this SHAMAL CHAND Kuku Bau Rd, Nausori
The 2013 Constitution
Thank you Richard Naidu for an insightful opinion on changing the constitution (FT 10/08). I am certain that your article has made us aware of the limitations and constraints of the 2013 Constitution more comprehensible. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Lineout set piece
Lineout metres away from the opposition try line are a set piece weapon for teams possessing superior forward power. Line-outs have started to become creative and even harder to defend. Creative line-outs are problematic even for defending teams which have superior forwards. Something the Flying Fijians, Fijian Drua and schools currently participating in the Deans competition should definitely explore. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Bangladesh situation
Rakesh Chand Sharma says he presumes I am not able to comprehend the gravity of the Bangladesh situation ( ST 11/8 ). For his information my understanding has been acquired from such reports as the one written by Syed Munir Kharu of The Indian Express (Journalism of Courage) re: Why Sheikh Hasina had to flee Bangladesh — and the lessons from her ouster. Her resignation shows why economic progress cannot overcome repression of democracy, civil liberties’ (August 6, 2024). I believe the writer has a far deeper understanding of the context of the Bangladesh crisis than Rakesh Chand Sharma. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Deadly chess
Anyone who has played in any competition knows that the taste of victory can also be matched by the pain of injury, but they keep battling on. Australia’s own version of football is facing a crisis from the consequences of concussions in a fierce contact game. These, however, have been overshadowed by the deadly, potentially, game of chess where a Russian champion has been accused of putting mercury, a deadly poison, on her opponent’s pieces. Revenge, for an insult, can be sweet but it should never be fatal. We are all now watching the world’s best, except the Russians, at the Olympics and soon the Paralympics, and the only risks are those inherent in their sport and by swimming in the Seine, not by any act of malice. The Olympic motto of “faster, higher, stronger” should be extended to include, “honest, fairest and safest’. This ideal should be the cornerstone of all competitions, even chess. DENNIS FITZGERALD Landale St, Box Hill, Vic, Melbourne, Australia
Beauty of rugby
The Rugby Championship returned with a bang. Two thrillers on Saturday — the Wallabies hosted the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium, while the All Blacks faced the Los Pumas. The Wallabies under new coach Joe Schmidt were unbeaten, having seen off the Welsh Dragons in Australia 36-28 and 25-16, respectively. The Springboks on the other hand, won one (27-20) and lost one against Ireland (25-24) in South Africa. The green machine walloped the hosts 33-7 in an almost one-sided affair. Their fluency and the rhythm, which with they played, will be hard to match. In the second brutal battle, the Sky Stadium curse hit the All Blacks as they went down 30-38. Scott Robertson named a star-studded and powerful line-up, aiming to build momentum from victories over The Roses (16-15 and 24-17) and Fiji (47-5). Argentina played against France and won one (33-25) and lost one (13-28). The last time Argentina met the All Blacks was during the semi-final of the RWC, where they were thrashed 6-44. They beat the All Blacks 25-18 in 2022 on NZ soil, and they made the All Blacks pay for their inconsistency and errors. The return matches this Saturday will be explosive and I’m counting on the hosts to bounce back. That’s the beauty of rugby! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
