Discussions are underfoot concerning the establishment of a new Sangam College of Nursing campus in Fiji’s Western Division, driven by the rising demand for enrollment at the existing Labasa campus. Jai Narayan, the chief executive officer of TISI Sangam Fiji, revealed that a proposal is set to be presented to the national executive board.
Narayan emphasized the urgency of this initiative, citing that last year alone, approximately 300 qualified applicants sought admission to the Labasa campus, yet only 125 places were available. He noted that the overwhelming demand resulted in all spots being filled exclusively by students from Vanua Levu, leaving aspiring students from Viti Levu without access to nursing education.
As part of the proposal, Narayan mentioned that while a building for the new campus has been secured, the necessary investment for equipping the facility, furnishing it, and staffing will require around $700,000. This financial commitment underscores the scale of preparation needed to successfully launch the new campus.
The exact location for this new facility in the West remains to be finalized, pending executive approval. If the proposal gains traction, the plan anticipates accommodating approximately 70 to 80 students in the inaugural cohort.
This initiative reflects a significant step toward addressing the growing educational requirements within Fiji’s nursing sector. Similar historical developments in nursing education have shown the importance of expanding facilities to meet increasing health sector demands. For instance, in the 1980s, major advancements were made with the establishment of new nursing schools, which dramatically increased student intake to meet staffing needs across Fiji’s healthcare system.
As the proposal progresses through the necessary channels, it offers a hopeful glimpse into enhancing educational access for aspiring nursing students in Fiji, creating pathways that could ultimately contribute to a well-equipped healthcare workforce.