Cabinet has approved the subsidiary arrangement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the project on the establishment of the Fiji National Rehabilitation Centre.
While speaking during the Post-Cabinet meeting press conference this morning, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the old Fiji Rehabilitation Centre within the Tamavua Twomey Hospital, was assessed by the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and declared an occupational health and safety (OHS) non-compliant facility due to the building condition being very old, unmaintained over decades and past its expiry date.
He says in 2021, the Ministry and KOICA agreed to collaborate and work together on the Project to improve the quality and quantity of rehabilitation medical services, and access for the vulnerable population.
Rabuka says further discussions with KOICA culminated in the submission of an application by the Ministry to the Korean Government for bilateral funding support for the Project.
He adds the Korean Government, through KOICA, will provide a grant in aid of no more than US $10 million.
The Prime Minister says the Ministry as part of its contribution to this Project, commits to providing the initial operating cost to demolish the Old Rehabilitation Center, which is situated along Princess Road, the cost for site preparation, including the relocation cost of moving the current health services of the Old Rehabilitation Center to the Tamavua Twomey Hospital, and facilitating other administrative measures for the design and construction of the building.
He says the Project is expected to commence this year.
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