Photos reveal wastewater spillage in CWM operating theatres

Photographs obtained by this masthead has showed the extent of the sluice wastewater spillage within the operating theatres in the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital.

Damp hospital linens hung to dry over blocked drains, sinks filled with murky water, and visible grime along the operating room floor and walls – reconfirms widespread report of the deteriorating condition of Fiji’s main hospital.

A statement from the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, yesterday admitted the leakage.

This was only published a day after the Fiji Sun exposed on its Monday front page, the claims that wastewater had spilled into operating theatres, affecting surgical services and placing patients’ lives at risk.

This drew heavy criticism from the public, some relating to their personal experiences.

The statement was published on the Fiji Government, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and The People’s Alliance official Facebook pages.

Dr Lalabalavu questioned the credibility of the Fiji Sun article, while downplaying the gravity of the situation.

Although he did not address the specific allegations in the article, he called on “keyboard warriors and the general public” to share “credible and factual” information about the state of the CWM Hospital.

Photo showing wet hospital linens on the floor.

Photo: Supplied

Photo showing wet hospital linens on the floor.

Photo: Supplied

The Minister said the leakage started on November 3, 2025, causing wastewater to flow into the East Wing operating rooms.

The statement said it was caused by a drainage blockage in the emergency department. He confirmed that operating rooms three and four were closed on November 3 following a sluice of wastewater spillage, and not raw sewage.

Dr Lalabalavu said the issue was detected early and cleared by onsite maintenance staff, with a private cleaning company engaged to deep clean the operating theatres.

He said the cleaning process was completed yesterday, and the operating rooms would be operational today.

"We’re pleased to confirm that both Operating Rooms 3 and 4 are now safe for use and expected to be fully operational by tomorrow (today). Throughout this period, patient care continued uninterrupted — with surgeries shifted to other operating rooms and the Labour Ward equipped for both emergency and elective cases," the Government statement read.

Dr Lalabalavu has admitted that the CWM Hospital is in critical state, confirming this masthead’s earlier report on the deteriorating condition of Fiji’s main hospital. “Any responsible government will try its best to improve the state of its health care system and that is true for the current Coalition Government,” he said.

“We can all agree that our hospital is not in the very best of condition. No health care system in the world is perfect.”

The Government allocated $600 million to the health sector in the 2025-2026 National Budget in its efforts to save it.

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