Open heart surgeries available 24/7 are among benefits of a public-private partnership signed in Suva last night.

At the moment surgeries are performed only by visiting overseas surgeons.

The partnership is between the Fijian Government and Australian-based internationally renowned quality healthcare operator, Aspen Medical Pty Limited.

The agreement will see the development, financing, upgrading, operating and maintaining of the Lautoka Divisional Hospital and the new Ba Sub-divisional Hospital.

This is in line with the Government’s announcement in the 2018-2019 Budget with the aim of modernising Fiji’s health system, particularly in the areas of secondary and tertiary healthcare.

Permanent Secretary for Economy Makereta Konrote acknowledged the support of the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for delivering the landmark project.

She said it was a significant step forward in terms of providing high quality health care in Fiji.

She said the award to Aspen Medical was approved by Cabinet.

“The project is first and foremost about providing more and better health care services to all Fijians,” Ms Konrote said.

“This project will bring high quality medical services and modern health facilities and make cutting edge treatments available in Fiji including for the first time ever radio therapy for cancer and 24/7 availability of cutting-edge surgery also with tertiary care and expanded treatment options for Non-Communicable Diseases.”

Aspen Medical is required to introduce these services to Fiji within the next three years. Aspen Medical was selected by the Fijian Government following a competitive process that began with an invitation for expression of interest in May this year.

Fiji National Provident Fund together with the private sector hospital operator are the major investors.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Susan Kiran said the initiative marked an exciting new phase in modernising the way Fijians were treated at no additional cost to patients.

She said the upgrading of the two hospitals would raise the bar for healthcare in the Pacific and boost Fiji’s economic potential to new heights.

“Both of these facilities will remain as public hospitals, but they will not only be able to cater to more patients, but will be wholly transformed with new state of the art equipment and innovative world class facilities,” Ms Kiran said.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Economy Makereta Konrote (left), with Aspen Medical chief executive officer Bruce Armstrong at the Ministry of Economy conference room after the signing of the partnership between Government and the Australia-based internationally renowned quality healthcare operator Aspen Medical Pty Limited, on November 12, 2018. Photo: Simione Haravanua

She paid tribute to the men and women who make up Fiji’s medical staff in hospitals across the country particularly in Ba and Lautoka hospitals.

“The Fijian Government has given a clear guarantee that no one will lose their jobs. In fact, with the expansion in facilities and services we expect that more jobs will be created and training opportunities with new and modern equipment will prove invaluable for cultivating a new higher paid and more fulfilling career path for years to come,” she said.

She stated that the partnership would improve services in Oncology and Radio Therapy to treat cancer and for the first time ever the availability of a 24/7 open heart surgery theatre.

Aspen Medical chief executive officer Bruce Armstrong said they looked forward to serving Fijian patients with the experience that they brought.

“We are extremely excited about this opportunity to work with our partners and the Government of Fiji to support you in your goals for improving health and for capacity building across the nation,” Mr Armstrong said.

FNPF chief executive office Jaoji Koroi congratulated Government for achieving a major milestone in the health sector.

Edited by Percy Kean

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