News that construction of Niue's new NZ$6.5 million hospital will begin next month, has cheered the island's acting director of health, Dr Asu Pulu.
Niue Hospital and most of the island's infrastructure was destroyed when Tropical Cyclone Heta swept through the island in January 2004.
Dr Pulu says health officials have been working with limited resources since the Heta with the more serious cases being referred to New Zealand.
But he says while the news construction is about to start is a welcome relief, the hospital may take longer to complete than anticipated.
"The date we would like to see that in October - the completion date for October, but I don't think so. It'll be in December, most likely."
The new hospital is being funded through NZAID.
