Developments in the health sector four years into the 1980s gave reason for optimism, according to a report published in The Fiji Times on Thursday, September 27, 1984.
The report stated the Central Nursing School in Tamavua, built in 1908 as a training institute for midwifery, was to be replaced by a new $5.45million complex to be built under a Japanese Government aid scheme.
This newspaper reported that the then Minister for Foreign Affairs Jonati Mavoa and the Japanese Ambassador Kikuo Yoshida had signed an agreement in Suva that week.
Work on the new school was to start in January the following year and was expected to be completed towards the end of 1985.
It would feature an administration building, lecture rooms, dormitories, and would cater for 400 students; equipment for nursing education was also included in the grant.
Permanent secretary for Health Dr Mesake Biumaiwai said the ministry had been requesting better facilities for more than 15 years, and with the construction of the new school, a larger output from the Central Nursing School was expected.
“We can expect 360 students at one time in the new school once it is completed and this will fill the increasing manpower needs in all our nursing stations,” Dr Biumaiwai said.
Back then, the intake of students each year was 60.
Over the preceding year, the students attended classes at Nasinu Teachers Training College to make way for the pulling down of the wooden buildings.
All third-year nursing students were transferred to Lautoka Hospital for technical training.
Dr Biumaiwai said the Lautoka Nursing School would merge with the Central Nursing School in 1986, but Lautoka Hospital would still be used for technical training for graduating students.
The school would be able to conduct two intakes of 120 a year by 1986.
Talks were also held between the Public Works Department, Ministry of Health officials and a Tokyo-based architect consultant firm, Azusa Sekkei, on the construction of the new buildings.
The new school was built on a 2.9 hectares of land beside Princes Rd in Suva.
