Fiji and Australia’s renewed Vuvale Partnership continues to deliver tangible benefits for Fijians, with Labasa Hospital set to receive a state-of-the-art medical waste incinerator that promises safer and more sustainable healthcare in Vanua Levu.
The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Australian High Commissioner to Fiji Peter Roberts, Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Biman Prasad, and Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu, marks a milestone in the nations’ deepening cooperation on infrastructure and public health.
“Smarter, more sustainable healthcare,” posted High Commissioner Roberts.
“Great to join Deputy Prime Minister @bimanprasad and Minister for Health to turn the sod for a new incinerator for Labasa Hospital.”
Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Prasad echoed the sentiment:
“Today marks a major step forward for healthcare in Vanua Levu. With support from @dfat and @AusHCFJ, we break ground on a state-of-the-art medical waste incinerator for Labasa Hospital. A safer, cleaner, and more sustainable Fiji is on the way.”
The incinerator is part of a wider health and infrastructure initiative under the renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership, signed in October 2023. Since its launch, Australia has committed over FJD280 million in new investments, solidifying its role as Fiji’s largest development partner.
At the heart of this partnership is the goal of delivering resilient and inclusive growth. In the 2023–24 financial year alone, more than FJD87 million was allocated to Fiji for budget support, enabling the government to meet critical service delivery goals.
Notably, FJD36 million each has been directed towards strengthening Fiji’s health and education systems, with FJD14.7 million earmarked for the CWM Hospital Masterplan and FJD10.8 million for rural electrification.
Healthcare support under the Vuvale framework also includes the rollout of the mSupply logistics and information system across the Ministry of Health, significantly improving the availability of essential medicines nationwide.
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