New 100-bed hospital site near wastewater plant chosen by India

The chosen site for a new 100-bed specialty hospital in Nadera, Fiji, was selected by the Government of India, according to Fiji's Ministers for Health and Lands. This decision was made despite concerns regarding the location's proximity to the Kinoya wastewater treatment plant.

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Several sites were presented, and the Government of India ultimately chose the Nadera location.

Minister for Health Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed that the issue of the site's closeness to the sewage treatment facility had been raised. He explained that the project is a development partnership between Fiji and India, with Fiji tasked with identifying suitable land parcels. Several sites were presented, and the Indian government ultimately made the selection.

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The embassy considered the site to be centrally located between Suva and Nausori and close to densely populated communities.

Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo corroborated this, stating that the Indian Embassy expressed a preference for the Nadera site after officials were shown various locations. The embassy considered the site centrally located between Suva and Nausori and near densely populated areas. Vosarogo acknowledged that Indian officials were fully aware of the wastewater treatment plant's location opposite the proposed hospital site.

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Indian officials were fully aware that the wastewater treatment plant is located opposite the proposed hospital site.

Addressing potential occupational health and safety concerns, including possible odors from the treatment plant, Vosarogo asserted that the site's agreement was on the Indian side. He expressed confidence that the hospital's structural design and building systems are planned to mitigate any impacts from the nearby plant, ensuring the facility is fit for purpose.

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He says the hospital will be designed to address those concerns, adding that the structural design and building systems planned for the facility are expected to mitigate any impacts from the nearby treatment plant.