As New Zealand prepares to ease visitor visa rules for Pacific Island nationals, a private hospital in Fiji is turning the spotlight back toward Kiwi travelers — with a call to consider the country for affordable, high-quality medical care.

Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) Hospitals, a 130-bed private facility located directly opposite Nadi International Airport, is positioning itself as a destination for medical tourism, particularly for patients from New Zealand and Australia.

PSH founder and CEO Parvish Kumar says the timing couldn’t be better, following Immigration New Zealand’s recent announcement that, starting July 6, 2025, visitors will be able to make multiple trips to New Zealand within a 24-month visa period.

“We welcome this initiative from New Zealand and, in return, want to extend an invitation to Kiwis to consider Fiji for their medical needs,” Kumar said. “New Zealanders can stay in Fiji for up to four months visa-free, which is a major advantage for those seeking medical care without the long wait times.”

With cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death in New Zealand, Kumar says PSH is particularly focused on cardiac care. “Our hospital has a newly commissioned catheterization lab and advanced operating theatres. Our team is capable of delivering world-class open-heart procedures at a fraction of the cost compared to New Zealand, with no waiting list.”

He added that patients could combine treatment with a tropical holiday, recovering in what he described as a “resort-style environment.”

The initiative aligns with the Fijian Government’s wider efforts to boost medical tourism, a sector that is gaining momentum in the Pacific. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka said the development of PSH Hospitals reflects the country’s commitment to offering advanced medical care to both locals and international patients.

“We are building the infrastructure to support medical tourism, learning from countries like India, which draws many Pacific Islanders each year,” Gavoka said. He also noted that around two percent of Fiji’s visitors in 2022 came for health-related reasons.

To encourage private sector involvement, the government has introduced investment allowances and duty concessions for healthcare infrastructure and medical equipment.

Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill praised PSH Hospitals for its achievements, particularly a successful series of open-heart surgeries since November 2024. “This level of care being available in Fiji is a major milestone, especially for patients from neighbouring Pacific Islands.”

Dr Ram Raju, president of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and former head of the Fiji College of General Practitioners, echoed the call for broader regional integration. He urged Australia and New Zealand to consider visa-free travel for Fijians and other Pacific Islanders to strengthen ties and economic opportunities, including medical tourism.

“A truly integrated Blue Pacific can only be built on the foundation of free movement,” Dr Raju said.