Ministry refutes CWM lab shutdown speculations

Speculation regarding the cessation of vital laboratory services at CWM Hospital has been firmly denied by the Fijian Ministry of Health. Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa has confirmed that essential services, including Full Blood Count tests, will continue to operate as normal.

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These services will continue as normal.

Concerns had surfaced about a potential suspension due to an alleged shortage of laboratory reagents and an outstanding payment to supplier Roche Diagnostics. However, Ravunawa stated that the Ministry is actively managing its internal administrative and procurement processes to ensure a consistent supply of reagents.

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The Ministry is managing internal administrative and procurement processes to ensure that laboratory reagents remain available.

The Ministry emphasized its commitment to maintaining uninterrupted services and is collaborating with stakeholders to achieve this. Regarding the payment to Roche Diagnostics, Ravunawa described it as a contractual business matter, with both parties working to fulfill their obligations within the Ministry's budget.

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an outstanding payment to Roche Diagnostics is a contractual business matter between the Ministry and the supplier.