The Fiji National Provident Fund who owns the majority of shares at Health Care Fiji Limited has stated they will continue to provide free medical services to all Fijians under the Public Private Partnership Programme.

Chief Executive Jaoji Koroi says the services provided will remain the same once the new Ba Hospital open its doors.

Under the Public Private Partnership Programme, the company signed an agreement with the government to develop, equip and operate the Ba and Lautoka hospitals.

Despite the ongoing rumors that people will be charged for medical services under the new programme, Koroi confirms this will not happen.

“It’s free to the public and the government is the one who pays, so the public will continue to come and be served with different management hopefully better management but it’s still free to the members of the public”

Minister for Health Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete says Health Care Fiji is currently undertaking their last scope of work at the Ba Hospital and will give an indication as to when it opens.

Meanwhile, the Health Care Fiji Limited is 80 percent owned by FNPF and 20 percent owned by Aspen Medical of Australia.