Good news : 4 new elevators arrive for CWMH, 6 to be replaced in total - Dr Lalabalavu

Good news : 4 new elevators arrive for CWMH, 6 to be replaced in total - Dr Lalabalavu

By Vijay Narayan
Sunday 02/03/2025
Minister for Health, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu with fijivillage News Director Vijay Narayan

Good news as the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has started the process of replacing the 6 critical elevators at a cost of about $1 million at the CWM Hospital.

Minister for Health, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has confirmed to fijivillage News that 4 new elevators for the hospital have already arrived, and installation will begin shortly by the contracted vendor.

The current elevators are about 30 years old, and there have been very concerning issues where critically ill patients needing emergency surgery have had to be carried down the stairs.

There was also an incident a few weeks ago where a nurse who is asthmatic, was stuck in an elevator after dropping a patient.

Photos were seen of the elevator left partially open with a mop handle to ensure the nurse does not get an asthma attack.

Doctor Lalabalavu had assured the people on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan in January this year that the elevators will arrive in the country in late February.

He confirmed today that next up is the installation, and planning has been ongoing from late last year on how that activity will be done while at the same time causing as less of a disruption to the ongoing healthcare service delivery to CWM Hospital.

He says the timeline for installation during his last briefing was 2 months.

He says some may ask why that long however the MOH is mindful of the fact that as they install the new elevators, the services must go on and as such they must plan around not to disrupt daily activities.

Doctor Lalabalavu says the duration of replacement of the 4 elevators will be up to 50 plus weeks as works have to be done in phases.

Meanwhile 2 new CT scan machines arrived for CWM Hospital late last month.

FEATURE NEWS
Sanjay Kaba granted temporary uplift of stop departure order for work travel
A temporary uplift of stop departure order has been granted to Managing Director of Houng Lee Kaba Jacob Limited and former Director of Telecom Fiji L...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Tira Welagi is Fiji 7s captain for Singapore as captain Jeremaia Matana out due to injury
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team has retained most of the players from the Hong Kong 7s tournament last week as they hope to improve on ...
24 minutes ago

Rheumatic heart surgeries need to continue at CWM Hospital – Dr Kapadia
Renowned General and Interventional Cardiologist Dr Vijay Kapadia, based at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Australia, has stressed the need ...
32 minutes ago

4 people still admitted at CWM Hospital after Queen Elizabeth Drive accident
4 occupants of the vehicle that was involved in an accident along the Queen Elizabeth Drive yesterday are still admitted at the CWM ...
1 hour ago

Rainfall recorded in Vatukacevaceva, Waimanu, Monasavu hydro and Korovou surpasses 50mm
Fijians living in and along Vatukacevaceva in Ra, Waimanu and Monasavu Hydro in Naitasiri and Korovou in Tailevu should continue to be cautious as ...
2 hours ago

Man in his 60’s dies following accident in Nasinu last night
A man in his 60’s has died following a road accident in Nasinu last night. Police say the man while crossing the Yasiyasi Road near the Valelevu ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan from the Drua base in Nadi. Coming off ...
1 hour ago

Reverend Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Watch the General Secretary of Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, Reverend Simione Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
35 days ago

fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and William Parkinson
Chairman of Communications Fiji Limited, parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM, William Parkinson ...
36 days ago

TOP