Central launches hospital

By GYNNIE KERO
CENTRAL Health Authority board chairman Isikeli Taureka says the province has poor health performance compared with other provinces with similar or smaller population.
Speaking at the launching of a K500 million hospital at Bautama, outside Port Moresby yesterday, Taureka said the project paved the way for Central through its health authority to better manage and operate services for their people.
“Central is the only province in PNG without a provincial hospital,” he said.
“As we all know, Central people have been sharing the Port Moresby General and Gerehu hospitals with the rest of the NCD population for years as general outpatient and emergency cases.
“Sadly, many times, especially recently with the large number of Covid-19 cases, health officers have told Central people to go to their own hospital – knowing very well that there is none.
“I suppose you cannot blame them – they are simply overworked and are just trying to limit the patient inflow.
“When you drive past Port Moresby General Hospital, one sees tent shelters at nearby roadside.
“This is a sign that the families temporarily residing there are from outside Port Moresby and are relatives of people who have been admitted to the hospital.
“This sad situation will be at least partly addressed by us having our own Central Provincial Hospital near main roads leading to some of our larger population centres.
“Port Moresby’s population is ever growing and the time has now come for us to have our own hospital to provide health services for our people.
“We appeal to all potential stakeholders such as state-owed enterprises, private companies, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), churches and others to support the development of our hospital.
“We must remember that it is not just the building to the hospital that is important, it must be staffed equipped, maintained, resourced and have sufficient operating expenses every year.
“I will be approaching some of the international and agencies to investigate the possibility of them contributing to a funding plan to support the hospital’s operations.
“Central has five district health centres, many sub-health centres and aid posts, some of which were unfortunately closed to serve about 360,000 people.
“There is a health workforce of only 138 that serves this population, consisting of three doctors, 20 health extension officers, 30 nurses and 80 community health workers.
“Establishment of a new hospital will necessarily increase our health manpower as the facility will require more doctors and other health workers.”