MHMS FIJI

Tag Public Hospitals

MINISTRY MONITORS SPREAD OF HANTAVIRUS

PUBLIC ADVISORY # 30 | 11 May 2026.

The Ministry of Health & Medical Services, continues to monitor the outbreak of Hantavirus on the Hondius cruise ship now anchored off Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.

The Fiji Centre for Disease Control (FCDC) at the Ministry understands that eight (8) cases have been identified, with three (3) deaths and they will continue to monitor the situation.

No cases have been reported to date in Fiji, and none of the cruise ship passengers are from Fiji.

The risk to Fiji from this cruise ship outbreak is very low.

As part of standard protocols, in-line with international requirements, all ships at international ports of entry in Fiji are subject to strict health declaration and inspection requirements, before clearance for entry in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

These include the production of Ship Sanitation Certificates (which include information on de-ratting) and Maritime Declaration of Health identifying sick passengers on board.

These standard protocols for ships at ports of entry include the boarding of vessels for inspection by Environmental Health Officers of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and escalation in line with contingency plans as needed.

The Ministry also has in place surveillance systems for the reporting of infectious diseases, and protocols at international ports of entry for the isolation and treatment of sick passengers, including through our Border Health Protection Unit in Nadi as needed.

Hantavirus is a rare and serious disease transmitted to humans through exposure to the urine, faeces and saliva of infected rodents like rats or mice.

It is not easily spread from human to human, however, the Andes strain causing the cruise ship outbreak has been shown to transmit amongst close contacts.

ENDS

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PRECAUTION AT CWMH CONSTRUCTION ZONES

PUBLIC ADVISORY # 29 | 6 May 2026.

Essential upgrade works are currently underway at Colonial War Memorial Hospital as part of the Potable Water and Maternity Sewer Line Project.

These works are being delivered in stages within an active hospital environment, with careful planning in place to minimise disruption to patient care and day-to-day hospital operations.

During this period, members of the public may notice temporary changes such as construction zones, noise, dust, and short-term access adjustments near work areas.

Where disruption is unavoidable, early notice and practical workarounds will be provided in close coordination with hospital management.

The Ministry thanks patients and visitors for their patience and cooperation as these important upgrades are completed.

Please follow on-site notices and guidance from hospital staff for updates.

ENDS

ZAMZAM BURN VICTIMS ADMITTED AT CWMH

PUBLIC ADVISORY # 28 | 5 May 2026.

Nine (9) of the fire victims at the Zamzam Restaurant in Samabula this afternoon, are currently admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) after sustaining burns from the fire.

Update received as of 2:00pm today, is that two of the burn victims are currently on life support while the rest are on Inhalation Burn Treatment and Facial Burn Treatment.
Doctors at the Emergency Department are doing their utmost best in treating the burn victims.

The Ministry will continue to provide an update as it comes through.

ENDS

MINISTRY IMPLEMENTS ADJUSTMENT TO NURSES SHIFT

PUBLIC ADVISORY # 25 | 25 April 2026.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) will implement a temporary adjustment to nursing shift arrangements, with 12-hour shifts commencing on Monday, 27 April 2026. This measure is an internal operational response to ensure continuity, safety, and reliability of essential hospital services amidst the current shortage of nursing staff. The decision follows internal assessments conducted by hospital management, including reviews aimed at strengthening patient safety and service delivery. The Ministry confirms that the adjustment was carefully considered by hospital leadership and nursing representatives, and that appropriate logistical and support arrangements are being addressed to safeguard staff welfare. This is a temporary arrangement, subject to ongoing monitoring and review, and is expected to remain in place until September 2026, when nursing interns complete their internship program and take up substantive postings. The Ministry assures the public that:  Patient safety and quality of care remain the Ministry’s highest priority;  All essential services at CWMH, including emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and dialysis services, will continue as normal;  Measures are being actively pursued to strengthen staffing capacity in both the short and long term; The Ministry acknowledges and commends the dedication and professionalism of nursing staff at CWMH, and thanks the public for their understanding and cooperation. Any further updates will be communicated accordingly.
ENDS

MINISTRY CLARIFIES STANCE ON AMBULANCE RETRIEVALS

PUBLIC ADVISORY # 24| 14 April 2026.

The Ministry wishes to advise members of the public that ambulance services at CWMH and other healthcare facilities around the country, is for transfer of patients and accompanying healthcare workers between healthcare facilities.

Ambulance retrieval from homes or other premises is coordinated by the National Fire Authority (NFA) who will then refer the cases to St John Ambulance should the need arise. When both avenues are being exhausted, the other option for members of the public, is to engage licensed private ambulance providers such as, Bula Ambulance, Zens Medical Ambulance, Nakasi Medical Center Ambulance. This has been the practice through the years and the Ministry continues to adhere to it. The Ministry also recommends hotel and resort managements to have an agreement with licensed private ambulance providers and to have in place in-house medical services cover for their patrons.

  • For Ambulance Services with:
  • National Fire Authority, please call 910
  • St. John Ambulance, please call 1545
  • Bula Ambulance (comes at a cost) please call 5850 for home or residential patient retrievals.