Private hospital Oceania Hospitals commemorated its 25th anniversary last Friday – celebrating the growth and evolution of a vision that has now grown into a regional healthcare institution.
Opening its doors in 2001 as Suva Private Hospital – being the first private hospital in Fiji, it has today become a trusted referral centre, complementing GP practices across Fiji with the provision of advanced diagnostics and specialised care that reduced the need to seek treatment overseas.
Oceania Hospitals chief executive officer David Qumivutia paid tribute to their shareholder BSP Life, to their staff, clinicians, board members and executives – both past and present, whose commitment and effort had laid the foundation for Oceania.
He said their collective contribution had created the strong platform from which they continued to grow today.
Recalling the early days and the apprehension among parts of the general practitioner community that a private hospital might overshadow private practices, he said over time, that uncertainty transformed into partnership through dialogue, transparency and mutual respect.
“Today, we deliver some of the highest levels of specialised care available in Fiji – ranging from complex surgical procedures and interventional cardiology to advanced neonatal support. This ensures that Fijians can access world-class treatment right here at home,” Mr Qumivutia said.
He said Oceania also offered practical clinical teaching experiences for medical students and nurses from FNU ad University of Fiji, adding this was a vital part of their workforce sustainability and continuity planning.
Oceania Hospitals board chair Dr Wame Baravilala said celebrating this Silver Jubilee was a celebration of a quarter-century of healing, innovation, people and the thousands of lives that had been touched within its walls.
He also commended the staff – from cleaners and administrators to the doctors and nurses, who he said are the heartbeat of the hospital.
“Twenty-five years ago, we were a bold idea. Today, we are a pillar of health care delivery in this country. In the next five years, we plan to become the future of Pacific medicine,” Dr Baravilala said.
