Good news for the people as the remaining four operating theatres at CWM Hospital will be completed in the next three months bringing all eight theatres into full operation.
Minister for Health, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed this during the fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan.
When asked what was the delay, Dr Lalabalavu says the Ministry of Infrastructure has been allocated the money for infrastructure improvement however, he does not know why it is taking so long.
The Minister says the theatre issue was brought to his attention in June last year, and he was assured that the infrastructure work at CWM Hospital would be prioritised.
He says they have pushed the Ministry of Infrastructure to get things done as service delivery is delayed.
The Minister says they are also mindful of the fact that there are capacity issues within the relevant ministries to carry out the work.
Dr Lalabalavu says there is a backlog of surgeries and they have been operating with four theatres for some time now.
The Minister says he has been told that the four working theatres are in emergency mode and a discussion has been held with surgeons about an alternative site to do surgeries which was done last year.
When asked if he has taken the delay matter up to the cabinet, he says that he has taken it to the highest level of decision-making and he has been given the assurance that support will be given to them.
The Minister says lives have been lost and they could have done something but if something is not done then we will keep losing lives at the theatres.
Meanwhile, Dr Lalabalavu says to solve the 30-year-old lift issue, they have purchased four lifts which will arrive at the end of this month and then it will take another two months to install those lifts.
He says currently only two lifts are working.
When asked about the offer from the International Women's Association Fiji President Judy Compain for a new lift, he says they have to ensure that work is not replicated.
He adds that they had already budgeted for the lifts, however, they will always welcome the IWA and the work they do.
The Government of Australia has committed another $14.5 million for infrastructure upgrades for the hospital.
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