THE upgrade of medical facilities at Lautoka Hospital has been a long-time coming, says Lautoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Pyara Singh.
While announcing the 2018/2019 National Budget, Economy Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said they were in the process of selecting a suitable partner for the Private Public Partnership of Lautoka and Ba hospitals.
He said this would transform the Ba and Lautoka hospitals into world-class health facilities and would provide better oncology services and treatment, kidney dialysis, procedures for NCDs and the 24/7 availability of open heart surgeries.
Mr Singh said this was something that was sorely needed by the people of Lautoka.
Meanwhile, Mr Singh, who is also the acting president of the Fiji Bus Operators Association, said they would hold an executive council meeting soon to discuss the budget in detail.
He said bus operators had already experienced two fuel increases this year, in January and April, and were bracing for a third in July.
