Bed shortage at CWM emergency department raised in budget talks

Concerns over patients lying on benches at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) have prompted calls for increased investment in hospital bed capacity in the next national budget.

Fiji National University (FNU) student and National Youth Council representative Riya Dutt raised the issue during the 2026–2027 National Budget Consultation at FNU’s Nasinu Campus on Wednesday.

Ms Dutt said she visited CWMH’s Emergency Department and found patients lying on benches because there was a lack of beds.

“I request that for the upcoming national budget, we prioritise investment in hospital infrastructure, particularly expanding bed capacity to ensure that patients receive the right treatment on time,” she said.

Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel acknowledged the hospital was ageing and facing operational and infrastructure challenges.

He said the Government had been working to decentralise health services to ease pressure on CWMH.

This means using health facilities around the country so that patients do not need to travel to Suva for care.

“We try to decentralise health facilities, health systems, such that you can be catered for at a place near you, rather than coming to CWMH,” he said.

Mr Immanuel also urged Fijians to use health facilities closer to home rather than relying on CWMH in Suva.

Ms Dutt also called for budget funding towards United Nations exchange programmes to give young Fijians leadership opportunities beyond youth parliament.

According to Mr Immanuel, the Ministry of Youth and the Ministry of Education have initiatives targeting youth leadership.