Aspen begins first phase of $5M upgrade program at Lautoka Hospital

People in the Western Division can expect better services at the Lautoka Hospital as Aspen Medical has commenced the first phase of a $5 million upgrade program at the hospital, which is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Aspen says work has begun on a new Interventional Radiology suite (Catheterisation Lab), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suite and a fast-track Emergency Department unit, significantly enhancing diagnostic and treatment capability in western Fiji.

They say the introduction of high-precision MRI imaging will allow for faster and more accurate diagnoses, leading to reduced wait times for patients.

Aspen says state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory will facilitate minimally invasive heart procedures, offering patients access to advanced cardiac care locally and improving patient outcomes.

They say Lautoka Hospital's Emergency Department is also undergoing upgrades, including the addition of a unique fast-track unit, the first of its kind nationwide.

Aspen says it will create more space and privacy for patient assessments, streamline patient care and rapid response for urgent cases.

Aspen Medical’s CEO in Fiji, Gavin Whiteside says this significant $5 million investment represents a major milestone for Lautoka Hospital and will enable surgeons to do more advanced surgical procedures.

He says by investing in advanced technology and expanding their service offerings, they are committed to providing patients with the highest quality care closer to home, there is lots done and more to come.

Aspen says in April, works will commence on the expansion and renovation of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), as well as the installation of new dialysis machines.

Aspen Medical’s Executive Director of Non-Clinical Services Martin Lane says in addition to the current works at Lautoka Hospital, April will see a few weeks of renovations to improve ICU, PICU and Burns Unit which will include new storerooms and a room an international conferencing for complex clinical cases.

Lane says these are exciting times at Lautoka Hospital, but there will be some noise and visual barriers in place whilst the program is being completed.

They are asking the public to bear with them while they continue to create world-class healthcare facilities at the hospital.