Healthcare Fiji (Pte) Ltd and the Government of Fiji are currently engaged in discussions to amend their Concession Agreement (CA), recognizing the need for revisions in light of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aspen Medical Fiji’s CEO, Gavin Whiteside, has highlighted that the existing agreement was formulated before the pandemic and does not accurately represent the contemporary healthcare environment.
During the discussions, Whiteside emphasized the necessity of key amendments to ensure the agreement remains effective and relevant, particularly in light of the challenges introduced by COVID-19. He noted that initial meetings have been held in Suva with government officials, including Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel and representatives from both Aspen Medical and Healthcare Fiji. The aim is to finalize the updated agreement by March.
A significant issue raised by Aspen Medical is the absence of ambulance housecall services currently available through the Lautoka and Ba hospitals. While their current role focuses on facilitating patient transfers between these facilities, there is an active push to expand services to address public concerns about access to emergency medical care. This matter has been a prominent topic in the ongoing CA negotiations.
Minister Immanuel has reinforced the importance of fostering a cooperative relationship under the renewed agreement, ensuring that all Fijians have access to essential healthcare services, irrespective of their location. As both parties collaborate on these amendments, there is a hopeful outlook for enhancing the public-private partnership and adapting to future healthcare demands, ultimately aiming to improve patient care across Fiji.