Lautoka Hospital rebuild to enter next phase after partnership is finalised

The long-planned upgrade and rebuild of Lautoka Hospital is expected to move into its next phase once the updated public-private partnership (PPP) agreement is finalised, Aspen Medical says.

Chief executive officer Gavin Whiteside said the agreement was in its final stages of being updated, paving the way for detailed design and development work on the redevelopment.

"In the next 12 months, we are in the final stages of updating the agreement. Once that is completed, we can progress to the final stages of the design and development and the upgrade and rebuild of Lautoka Hospital," Mr Whiteside said.

The redevelopment forms part of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure in the Western Division, where Aspen Medical manages Lautoka and Ba hospitals.

Mr Whiteside said Ba Hospital had reached a significant milestone by becoming the first Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited hospital in Fiji and the South Pacific.

"Ba Hospital has become the first Joint Commission International-accredited hospital, a first not only for Fiji but also for the South Pacific," he said.

He said the Government's $120 million allocation for the operation and maintenance of Lautoka and Ba hospitals would support the continued delivery of healthcare services.

"The funds will be used in the same way as previous budget allocations, maintaining 100 per cent operations with all departments open, staffed and equipped, while continuing to provide key clinical services to the communities we serve in Ba and Lautoka," he said.

Mr Whiteside said the funding would cover key operational requirements, including staffing, medicines and essential services.

He said infrastructure work at Ba Hospital had been completed, with the focus now shifting to maintaining international standards.

At Lautoka Hospital, preparations for the redevelopment would include infrastructure upgrades and investments such as new medical waste incinerators.

"The budget has been set by the ministry, and we support it. It will ensure we maintain operations across the two hospitals in the Western Division," he said.