Australia is investing $14.5 million to urgently upgrade the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, boosting healthcare services and infrastructure under the Vuvale Partnership scheduled from January to June this year.
While clarifying some incorrect information, the Australian High Commission in Fiji says they are working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and CWM Hospital staff and the priority has been given to urgent works.
They say this has included engaging local architects and engineers to scope the projects and contracting local companies to carry out the upgrade works.
The Ministry adds that the current works is valued at $6.7 million that include roofing repairs at the CWM Hospital and the St Giles Hospital, which ran from December 2025 to May 2026.
They share that the upgrades are also underway at the Acute Patient Ward, including additional bathrooms, improved accessibility, an upgraded pantry, staff room, multifunctional room and sluice room.
The Ministry highlighted that the project also includes the installation of a new 200,000-litre water tank with filtration and pump systems, as well as sewer remediation works at the Maternity Building, both expected to be completed by June 2026.
The Commission says that planning for Phase Two of the upgrades, valued at $7.8 million, is currently underway in partnership with the Ministry of Health and CWM Hospital, with further updates expected in due course.
The initiatives form part of the broader Vuvale Partnership aimed at strengthening essential health services, supporting local expertise and building a more resilient healthcare system for Fiji.
