The Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva is set to undergo a significant transformation as part of the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) project, which aims to elevate the facility into a state-of-the-art center for medical training. This initiative, funded jointly by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank at a cost of $239.5 million, is projected to create approximately 11,000 jobs within the healthcare sectors across the Pacific Islands.
As outlined in the World Bank’s project appraisal document, the CWM plays a pivotal role in the education and supply of healthcare workers essential for the Pacific region. The upgrading of this hospital is expected to be central to improving the healthcare system throughout the Pacific Islands. Fiji, being the largest country in the region, serves as a crucial hub for training healthcare professionals and delivering specialized health services.
Many Pacific Island Countries (PICs) depend on Fiji for the training of medical personnel, particularly doctors, nurses, and allied health workers. The College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences at Fiji National University (FNU) and the CWM Hospital are key institutions that cater to this demand. Between 2015 and 2022, nearly 6,500 health professionals graduated from FNU, with significant numbers of non-Fijian students from Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, among others, coming to Fiji for their education.
Healthcare students practicing in Fiji benefit from supervised patient care at various facilities, with a substantial portion of their clinical training — up to 60% — conducted at the CWM Hospital. This enhances the opportunities for standardizing healthcare worker training and management across the region, including accreditation.
The overhaul of the CWM is a critical investment, with $70 million earmarked specifically for the renovation. This component includes the establishment of a new referral and training hospital that will feature a Radiotherapy Centre, further solidifying Suva’s position as a leader in healthcare education and services in the Pacific Islands. The anticipated improvements not only enhance medical training but also signal a promising future for healthcare across the region.