FIJI has allocated $FJD647 million to the health sector, with a major $500 million transformation project aimed at addressing years of underinvestment and neglect, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel announced in Parliament today.
A centerpiece of the health investment is the Pacific Healthy Island Transformation Project, supported by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and OPEC Fund.
The initiative will establish Fiji’s first radiotherapy and cancer treatment centre at CWM Hospital, capable of treating up to 60 patients daily with linear accelerator technology and chemotherapy capacity.
“This will reduce reliance on overseas referrals and provide life-saving opportunities for our people,” Immanuel said while delivering the 2026-2027 Budget.
The project also includes expansion of acute care at CWM with 56 additional beds for adults and children, and upgrading of 17 primary healthcare facilities nationwide, including Valelevu, Naitasiri, Labasa, and Taveuni.
The government wants to move forward on the project for a new National Tertiary Hospital in Valelevu, with Australia providing support for master planning and $FJD10 million for urgent infrastructure upgrades at the existing CWM Hospital.
Construction of a 100-bed super-specialty hospital in Nausori, funded by the Government of India, is expected to commence early next year following land acquisition and design completion.
The Budget provides $FJD120 million for ongoing operations at Lautoka and Nadi Hospitals under the Healthcare Fiji Limited arrangement.
Described as an existential threat, HIV programmes have been allocated $FJD12 million. This will include national awareness campaigns, medicine procurement, and preventative measures.
Immanuel acknowledged that health infrastructure had “lagged behind due to years of neglect,” but said the 2026-2027 Budget represents a “significant step towards transformation in Fiji’s health system.”
