Colonial War Memorial Hospital

The hospital, initially located in Levuka (the former capital of Fiji), was relocated to Walu Bay.

The Spanish Influenza of 1918 killed approximately 9000 people in Fiji (5% of the population) between November 1918 and April 1919. The hospital was overwhelmed with cases and temporary hospitals were set up in the nearby schools and halls. The epidemic was one of the deadliest in Fiji’s history, second only to the measles epidemic of 1875.

New buildings were constructed with the aid of £319,500 and it was renamed the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in memory of those who served in World War I. It was officially opened by the then Governor of Fiji, Cecil Rodwell, on 2 December. There was a total of 108 beds and the new hospital had 27 staff which included 2 doctors. Out of the 27, 17 were European staff and 10 were native staff.

The Rockefeller Foundation with the help of DR S.M. Lambert who authored ‘A Doctor in Paradise’ donated funds to relocate the Medical School at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for it to be able to accommodate students from outside of Fiji as well.

The Hoodless House was established in the grounds of the Hospital to provide teaching and residential accommodations for clinical students.

A clinical teaching area was set up in the hospital.

The opening of the Cardiac Catheterisation Lab which specifically deals with the treatment of patients that suffer from heart problems.

The dental clinic was opened in March after three months of renovations. A patient waiting room was also constructed.

Celebration of 90 years since the Hospital’s establishment.  It was a week-long celebration with the theme “CWM Hospital – Celebrating 90 Years of Caring – and Beyond”. A gala dinner on 13 December was also organised. The Fiji Government allocated $9.9 million for the renovation of the Operating Theatres and Intensive Care Unit. The Fiji National Quality Assurance Program was introduced at the Hospital to give better access to quality and affordable medicine.

Fiji faced a major outbreak in Dengue Fever and the hospital faced challenges of accommodating patients.

Friends of Fiji Open Heart Team visit Fiji after 8 years on 11th to 28th September and conduct cardiac operations on 24 adults and 16 children.

A new gastroenterology surgical lab and gastroenterology training program was officially opened.

The newly refurbished Oncology Ward was opened. Currently construction of a standardized Maternity Unit is underway.