Govt plans to build isolation centre for Covid-19 in Central

HEALTH Minister Jelta Wong says the Government plans to build an isolation facility in Central to cater for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
He said this in view of yet another development – a Covid-19 variant known as the Omicron in South Africa – which has now reached Australia.
Wong was speaking at the launching of the new Central Provincial Hospital at Bautama yesterday.
He urged the people to get vaccinated, adding: “We are just worried about the new strain (omicron), the fourth wave, because Christmas is coming up. People tend to forget the Covid-19 protocols.”
According to Central Governor Robert Agarobe, the hospital once completed would catalyst for change at Bautama.
Earlier this year, Agarobe told a forum in Port Moresby that the Central Government would be building its own city at a cost of about K2.5 billion.
“We have land to build the city,” Agarobe said. “We are slowly building our infrastructure.”
According to Agarobe, Bautama was traditionally owned by the Koiri and Tubusereia people.
“It is now state land.
“This (hospital) will be the catalyst for further development to happen.
“Central Government has allocated 50 hectares for this project.
“Project has been on hold for some time for various reasons.
“Health is the biggest issue in the province,” he said.
“We have also cleared 120 portions of land that are now ready for tender that we can start developing on the provincial plan that we have.”
Prime Minister James Marape said the hospital was part of the proposed Central city.