THE Lautoka Hospital will offer 24-hour open heart surgery under its management agreement with Australian company Aspen Medical.
This was revealed by Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at a regional summit in Nadi on Monday.
“We went out on a limb and worked together with the International Finance Corporation from the World Bank and decided to have a private-public partnership with an investor on a hospital in Lautoka,” he said.
“The reason we chose Lautoka is because it is close to Nadi Airport and we will be able to provide linkage for other Pacific Island Countries.
“Through the tender process, Aspen (Medical) from Australia has actually won the tender and they will start running the hospital from July.
“There have been certain conditions imposed.
“For example, they are to provide open heart surgery that currently isn’t available in Fiji.
“One of the conditions that we have for Lautoka is they need to provide that procedure 24/7.
“That will be made available not only for Fijians, but other Pacific Islanders.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said there were other conditions under the contract that would allow for more new and improved facilities.
“Part of the condition is also they need to build a new wing at the hospital as well.
“They should have operating theatres that could be part of learning for Fiji School of Medicine students and also the University of Fiji which also has a medical school.”
