New radiotherapy centre planned

Fiji is expected to build its first radiotherapy centre in Suva under the Pacific Health Transformation project.

Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development Esrom Immanuel made the announcement in Parliament yesterday while responding to a question from Opposition MP Taito Rokomatu on the Asian Development Bank’s financing facility for the project.

The Pacific Health Transformation project, aimed at improving and modernizing healthcare systems in the region, is estimated to cost about $532 million (US$239.5 million).

Mr Immanuel said Fiji had signed an $11.2 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank and would contribute $404.6 million towards the project.

“This project is going to trans-form the Pacific health system into a fit-for-purpose healthcare system that delivers preventative and curative services in the region,” he said.

“It is expected to improve region-al systems and access to quality healthcare within participating island countries.”

Mr Immanuel said the project would include Fiji’s first radiotherapy unit in Suva to support cancer treatment services.

“This project is also expected to modernise Fiji’s healthcare system and establish networks for healthcare promotion, early detection and management of diseases, including the construction of a new radiotherapy unit,” he said.

“As part of the project, we are going to conduct our very first radio-therapy treatment here in Suva to treat cancer patients.”

He said upgrades were also planned for the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

“We will also upgrade some of the buildings at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and provide beds and other services,” he said.

“Telemedicine will be adopted in major health centres to improve service delivery, while investments will also be made in skills development for health services.”

Seventeen primary healthcare facilities across the four divisions will also be upgraded to provide climate-resilient and digitally ena-bled healthcare services.

The facilities include Naililili, Rewa, Bua, Macuata, Nukuilau, Navosa, Balevuto, Ba, Nasele, Vacalea and Kavala in Kadavu, Ka-bara in Lau, Garfield in Valelevu, Raiwaqa, Nakasi, Lami, Nausori and Kamikamica Health Centre in Lautoka.