Valelevu Health Centre set for major overhaul

Good news for the thousands of families residing in Valelevu and the wider Nasinu community.

Government has confirmed that the long-overdue expansion of the congested Valelevu Health Centre will finally proceed under a major Pacific-wide health reform.

Responding to a question from Opposition MP Jone Usamate in Parliament yesterday, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Atonio Lalabalavu announced that the centre, one of the busiest in the Central Division, will undergo a major refurbishment.

While he did not confirm a timeline of the works, Dr Lalabalavu assured that it was a priority for the ministry.

“The current Valelevu Health Centre is very congested and often overcrowded, lacks space, and has some old infrastructure,” the Minister said. 

“The Ministry’s current plan is to undertake a major refurbishment and upgrade of the infrastructure with new build, to meet current service demands, exploring options for service provision during construction.”

He said the proposed expansion aligns with the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at strengthening health systems and ensuring equitable access to care across Fiji’s urban, rural and maritime communities.

Urban centres such as Valelevu have been identified as priority zones due to population density and high NCD prevalence.

The PHIT project will close gaps in care through: upgrading primary health facilities, improving referral networks, introducing digital health systems such as electronic patient records, and upskilling the health workforce through e-learning and targeted professional development.

“By integrating climate-resilient designs and improving WASH infrastructure, we are committed to ensuring that our healthcare facilities are equipped to meet current and future health challenges,” he said.

The Minister added that Valelevu will become a model for urban health facilities across Fiji and the Pacific, with upgraded services expected to ease overcrowding, improve care pathways and strengthen early intervention for NCDs.

“There will be exciting times in the coming month as we formally gear up for the launching of this much-anticipated project,” he said.