Nursing college to open after 10 years

 THE Laloki nursing college, after 10 years of lying idle, has been opened to accommodate 300 health staff

The college was an Asian Development Bank project that was completed but never been used.

Health Minister Michael Malabag and his officers decided to make us of the facility after discussions with the Port Moresby General Hospital. The total cost of restoring the facilities was K2.5 million.  

Hospital deputy board chairman Kathy Johnson said the achievement was a credit to the ministry. 

The facilities include five 54-bed dormitories, 16 three-bedroom houses, an in-services training room, conference hall, dining room, library and an administration building.

A shuttle bus is provided to transport nurses to and from the hospital. 

The establishment includes a sports field, 24-hour security, back-up power and on-site manager. 

Malabag said the facility had been lying idle for more than 10 years.

“It would now be used by Port Moresby General Hospital nurses, health workers, health department and Pacific Adventist University students,” he said. 

The first dormitories were completed two weeks ago and 52 of the hospital’s senior nurses had moved in.

The second is for the in-service training nurses. 

In-service training will begin at the college today with the first block of 30 nurses from the hospital.