Fijians can expect better facilities at the hospitals in Labasa, Savusavu, and the maternity unit at CWM Hospital, says Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete after the announcement of the 2022-2023 National Budget last week.
He made the comment in response to queries from The Fiji Times on the $7.2 million allocation towards improving the conditions of the three hospitals.
While delivering the budget, Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said $2 million would go towards refurbishment and land stabilisation works at the Savusavu Hospital and $5.2 million for the construction of the CWM Hospital maternity ward and upgrade of the Labasa Hospital.
Dr Waqainabete says the $7.2 million allocation will see towards the long overdue upgrade of the three hospitals.
“We are very pleased with the allocation in the budget towards the Savusavu Hospital as this was a place where we wanted to improve on,” he said.
“As alluded by Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, we couldn’t work on the CWMH maternity ward and the Labasa Hospital project throughout COVID-19 because we needed the spaces for COVID isolation and ensuring that we looked after patients.
“We are also pleased that there was $2 million set aside in the budget to continue the project in the Savusavu Hospital and this will ensure that the greater Cakaudrove and those coming from Taveuni will get their medical needs met without having to go all the way to Labasa.”
He adds the Ministry of Health was looking forward to completing the hospital projects as soon as possible.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been allocated a total of $395.1 million in the 2022-2023 budget compared with $403.3 million in the last financial year.
