India's 100-bed super-specialty hospital project moves to next stage

Short-listed companies bidding to construct the 100- bed Super Specialty Hospital in Nasinu that will be funded by India will visit Fiji later this month.

The proposed project’s tendering process is now moving closer to completion.

Indian High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, said the site visit would allow bidders to assess the location and consultwith stakeholders before submitting final bids.

“We expect the team of shortlisted companies to come over to Fiji to do a site visit, understand the lay of the land and interact with all the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

“It should happen later this month.”

Mr Mehta said the groundbreaking ceremony was expected to begin early next year, once a bidder was confirmed, in line with an earlier update from Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel’s budget address.

“We are on track and this is going to transform the healthcare infrastructure,” he said, describing the project as India’s largest grant assistance initiative in the Pacific region.

The hospital, to be built on land adjacent to Fiji National University, will be Fiji’s first super-specialty medical facility.

It follows earlier commitments from India including antiretroviral drug donations, dialysis units, and 10 ambulances for the Ministry of Health.

Mr Mehta also confirmed a second Jaipur Foot Camp, providing artificial limbs to around 650 Fijians who have suffered amputations.

The camp will run for two months starting in early October across Suva, Nadi and Labasa.

“The consignment of the material is already en route. It’s in the sea, it should land and then get cleared,” he said, adding 15 to 20 people would be fitted daily depending on location.

Mr Mehta framed the healthcare initiatives as part of India’s broader “Veilomani Dosti” partnership with Fiji, alongside continued support for the country’s electoral processes.