Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
18 March, 2026, 6:43 pm
Central - 23°C Clouds
18 March, 2026, 6:43 pm Central - 23°C Clouds

Compain calls out Health Minister after comments that Rome was not built in a day when talking about the health care system

Compain calls out Health Minister after comments that Rome was not built in a day when talking about the health care system

By Vijay Narayan
14/11/2025
International Women's Association Fiji President, Judy Compain and Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu

Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has been called out by International Women's Association Fiji President, Judy Compain after his comments that "Rome was not built in a day and we will continue to try and improve our health care system."

Compain says "Rome wasn’t built in a day”… but let’s talk about what has been built."

Screenshot-2025-11-14-at-08-16-19

She says International Women's Association Fiji has just completed a brand-new Maternal-Fetal Scan Unit - built in 13 days.

Compain says she purchased a $100,000 3D Ultrasound Machine, paid for and landed in Fiji in 3 weeks for the new Maternal-Fetal Scan Unit.

She adds they renovated the Oncology Ward in 9 days, fully upgraded the Ante-Natal Clinic in 6 weeks, refurbished the Operating Theatre training rooms and on-call flats in 2 weeks, renovated the Emergency Department on-call rooms and staff rooms in 2 weeks, and the ICU on-call room was done in one day.

Compain says these are only some of the projects they have delivered, all done by volunteers, funds raised by IWA and supported by the wonderful community of individuals and corporates and completed because the work simply needed doing.

She says there were no millions, no big teams, no excuses - just a woman supervising the job with a small contractor who shows up and gets it done.

Compain says all this has been done because they care.

When asked for comments, Doctor Lalabalavu says good for Compain and the organisation she represents.

He had earlier said that a lot has been said lately about the condition of CWMH from keyboard warriors and the general public.

The Health Minister says he is all for free speech and people are entitled to their opinion for which he fully respects.

He adds the media has a role to play in sharing the news with Fiji and the rest of the world that has to be commended and he fully respects their role but sharing information which is credible and factual is also of utmost importance either through mainstream media or social media.

FEATURE NEWS
Rokoika says she is not answerable to JSC in High Court evidence
Evidence presented in the High Court states that Acting FICAC Commissioner Lavi Rokoika does not care what the Judicial Services Commission says, as s...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Investigation file into the death of 35 year old Richard Mock still with the ODPP
The investigation file into the death of 35 year old Richard Mock, which was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in May ...
24 minutes ago

Govt launches strategic roadmap to strengthen national security and cyber resilience
The Government of Fiji has taken a major step toward strengthening national security and digital resilience with the launch of the Ministry of ...
2 hours ago

Tertiary students charged with Nauluvatu murder remanded
The three tertiary students who were charged with the murder of a 30-year-old man at Nauluvatu on Sunday morning have been remanded in custody.Aisake ...
2 hours ago

Fiji Airways and Tourism Fiji renew partnership to grow Fiji’s global connectivity
Fiji Airways and Tourism Fiji have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding to grow Fiji’s global connectivity and destination marketing ...
2 hours ago

Rokoika objects to witnesses in Prof. Prasad and Kamikamica's case
The hearing in the matter where former Deputy Prime Ministers Professor Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica’s application for a permanent stay on the ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
12 days ago

National Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs in Fiji: 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025
The illicit drug situation in Fiji has been described as a national emergency, with 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025. Minister for Policing ...
19 days ago

Charlie Charters held at Nadi Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file
Fijian national, Charlie Charters is being held at immigration at Nadi International Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file.fijivillage News has ...
19 days ago

TOP