ECONOMY Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is overseas carrying out the groundwork for an international investor to work with Government and the Fiji National Provident Fund to manage and operate the Ba and Lautoka hospitals.
This, according to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking at the opening of the 2018 Government Roadshow in Nawairuku, Ra, yesterday.
He said the talks the A-G was involved in was part of Government’s public private partnership (PPP) highlighted in the 2018-2019 National Budget.
“The budget prepares Fiji, alongside our partner the FNPF, to welcome a new internationally-certified hospital operator to develop, equip, operate and upgrade the Ba and Lautoka hospitals to meet international standards,” he said.
“This proposed public-private partnership will bring better tertiary care including oncology services to treat cancer, kidney dialysis, better maternity care for more Fijian mothers, procedures for NCDs, and for the first time ever the 24/7 availability of open-heart surgeries in Fiji.
“Our Attorney-General is abroad as we speak laying the groundwork to move this PPP project forward; a partnership that will revolutionise the healthcare services available here in the West to the benefit of 380,000 of our people.”
He said this was just a snapshot of Government’s programs that would be undertaken in the new financial year.
“It gives the parents the security they need to focus on their children’s wellbeing. It gives breadwinners more opportunities to provide for their families.
“It gives a leg-up to those families who need a helping hand. And it gives every Fijian family a better foundation to grow and contribute to building a safer and stronger Fiji.”
