The infrastructure of the St Giles Hospital has undergone significant wear and tear over the years, says Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu.
He told the Parliament that St Giles Hospital was one of the oldest hospitals in Fiji and had been in service since 1884.
“It has lived through many climatic and operational challenges and the current infrastructure has undergone significant wear and tear over the years,” Dr Lalabalavu said.
“With the increasing service demands, an increasing number of patients of all ages are seen, treated, admitted and followed up at the hospital, which places a considerable demand on the infrastructure.
“Patients seen at that hospital range from acute, chronic psychiatric illness, substance abuse and forensic psychiatric cases.”
He said any infrastructural work done at the hospital over the years was to cater to changing demands in patient demographics.
“In the last two years, while working with our development partners and through budgetary allocation, our health partners and development partners have come on board to assist us with the Women’s Ward and the Moala Ward and the admin building which was renovated and now occupied.
“Another significant work that was completed involved the tarsealing of the roads and carpark inside the hospital premises which cost over $235,000.
“The road had not been repaired for a number of years causing not only discomfort to passengers and damage to the vehicles but also to staff who work and live within the vicinity of St Giles Hospital.
“Earlier this year, the ministry constructed a new fence behind the men’s ward costing around $13,000 to improve the security of the admission facility as was highlighted in the media, and in this financial year, the ministry has also allocated funding to the minor works allocation for further repair and renovation works at the hospital.”
He said the ministry was approaching a partner and a donor organisation to assist in the establishment of a new facility that will allow the hospital to venture into the latest treatment modalities, elevating mental health services in the country.
