the $6m new wing of the Labasa Hospital finally opened yesterday seven years after construction began .
Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, while opening the major facelift to the 40-year-old hospital, said the new wing meant improved health services.
"Initiative done in recognition of the need to develop the Northern Division and to improve the lives of the people in the North," he said. Mr Bainimarama added it also reflected the commitment of the People's Charter to improve health service delivery.
The 43-bed wing is expected to ease the problem of bed shortages at the hospital. Medical superinten-dent Dr Omar Niazi said the old hospital could no longer cater for the increasing number of patients over the years.
"The old hospital built by the British government was according to the population at that time, yet, with the passage of time the population and patients increased and there was dire need for infrastructure extension," he said.