Replacement elevators for CWM Hospital to arrive next month as engineers currently attend to it - Health Ministry

Replacement elevators from the contracted supplier for the CWM Hospital are expected to arrive in the country next month while engineers from the company are currently at the hospital attending to the affected lift to restore its function.

While acknowledging the issues raised fy fijivillage News on the non-functional patient lift at the CWM Hospital, the Ministry of Health says they are working closely with their contracted service providers and relevant government agencies such as the Ministry of Public Works in addressing the lifts at the hospital.

They say the affected lift is located at the West Wing of CWM and is more than fifteen years old.

The Ministry says the lift was purchased from the OTIS Elevator Company of New Zealand, and engineers from the company are currently at the hospital.

They say the OTIS Elevator Company is also contracted for servicing of the lifts installed by the company at the hospital.

The Ministry says they had also identified the need to replace the aging lifts at CWM Hospital in 2023, and with approved funding allocation from Government, they have since been engaged in the procurement process and contractual engagement to replace all existing and aged lifts at the hospital.

They say hospital lifts are specialised machines and are specifically designed for use at hospitals, and they are durable to carry patients, staff, and specialised medical equipment such as patient beds, patient trolleys, wheelchairs, patient monitoring equipment, as well as large biomedical equipment.

The Ministry says they should also comply with infection prevention and control requirements, and are only manufactured once payment for any purchase is made.

They admit that the non-functional lift has disrupted patient care at the affected ward at CWM and the delay in care is frustrating the patients, their relatives, and the staff who look after them.

The Ministry is urging patients and families and carers to bear with them as it is doing its best in attending to the infrastructural needs for all health facilities to improve the provision of healthcare services in the country.