The Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Coral Coast Hotel Association have helped deliver new maternity ward at Sigatoka District Hospital.
Chairman of the Coral Coast Hotel Association and General Manager of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Peter Hopgood, said the new facility was an enormous benefit for the women of Nadroga who previously had to travel approximately 100 kilometres to Lautoka or Suva to give birth.
Hopgood said over the past five years, the association had raised more than FJD$600,000 towards the FJD$2.2 million cost of the ward.
The ward was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, on January 21 and Hopgood said it was a proud moment for himself and his fellow Coral Coast hoteliers.
“My Coral Coast resort colleagues and I have worked closely with the government to have this new facility built,” he said.
“We have held charity golf tournaments, raised money from major corporations such as Tappoo, Jacks of Fiji, Prouds, ANZ, Marsh, Vodafone and Fiji Water and solicited contributions from our guests to assist in the development of the hospital.”
Hopgood said the Coral Coast Hotels had also raised over FJD$1 million to support other projects at the hospital such as extensions to the Out-Patients ward, refurbishment of the Operating Theatre and the construction of an Accident and Emergency ward.
He thanked the Prime Minister for the outstanding work he had undertaken to improve health facilities for all Fijians and in particular, those living in Nadroga.
He also acknowledged the work and commitment of Regional Medical Officer, Doctor Dasi and Mrs. Coral Kennedy.
“There is no way we would have achieved this wonderful outcome without these two ladies,” he said.
To view a video of Hopgood talking about the new ward, click on the YouTube image below.