Angau to be rebuilt

 THE rebuilding of Lae’s rundown Angau Memorial Hospital at a cost of A$300 million (K625 million) epitomises the Government’s seriousness in reviving the health sector, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says.

The cost will be from the Australian government refugee resettlement deal funds and is separate from the K1.4 billion allocated to health in the 2013 budget.

“We’re working directly with the Australian government to rebuild Angau Hospital,” he said on FM 100’s Talkback Show on Wednesday.

“Cost estimates coming in are that it will cost over K625 million. The Papua New Guinea government cannot afford that money by itself,” he said.

“It is a deal that we have done which will enable us to build a completely brand new hospital at Angau in Morobe, which will serve the Highlands provinces, Momase, and New Guinea Islands.

“It will be a very strategic hospital. It will be completely upgraded.

“We’ve been talking about it for many, many years, but unfortunately, we have allowed it to be rundown.”

O’Neill said the K1.4 billion allocation had seen tangible improvements in health services all over the country.

“At the same time, we’ve allocated additional funds to repair hospitals.

“Many of our (FM100) listeners who go to Port Moresby General Hospital will be pleasantly surprised at the levels of improvement and basic maintenance that is being done.

“Many of our hospital boards and CEOs are starting to pick up their game and make sure that we have all the health services our country needs.”

O’Neill said there was now timely and fair distribution of drugs to all hospitals.