Renovations on four of the eight operating theatres at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital are 90 per cent complete, while broader infrastructure upgrade works at the hospital continue.
Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed this earlier this week, saying four operating theatres were currently in use while the other four were under renovation.
“The renovations are being carried out by Public Works Department,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
He said the theatre renovation works were nearing completion, with only final works and defects to be addressed.
“The major work left to be carried out is the medical gas piping work by Oceania Gas, and we will need to work on the pendant and the wall outlets.”
Dr Lalabalavu said general renovation plans were also continuing under the CWMH improvement infrastructure works.
He acknowledged the government of Australia, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for its support to the Ministry of Health in prioritising the hospital’s master plan and infrastructure needs.
“It’s not just about the facelift, it is strategic, life-saving intervention.”
He said the priority infrastructure plan had identified 355 areas needing attention to keep the hospital fully operational for the next seven to 10 years.
Dr Lalabalavu said the $14.5million priority infrastructure plan included urgent roofing repairs across CWMH and St Giles Hospital, a comprehensive upgrade of the acute patient ward and improvements to storage and essential services.
He said the plan also included the installation of a 200,000-litre water tank with filtration to ensure a stable clean water supply.
Central sewer remediation works would also be carried out at the maternity building to address persistent blockages.
“Again, those are part of the ongoing works for improvement of the whole of CWMH.”
