Hela hospital gets K10 million to improve health services

MORE than 300,000 people in Hela will have better access to healthcare as a result of a K10 million incentive grant for the redevelopment of the Hela Provincial Hospital in Tari.
The fund is a jointly-managed programme delivered through a Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership.
The redevelopment project, administered by Oil Search Foundation in partnership with the Hela health authority, will provide a secure, fully-furnished two-storey, 24-bed accommodation block for female staff, better kitchen facilities, a new mess hall and upgraded power supply throughout the hospital.
Maternal and child-health services in particular will benefit from an increased presence of female staff and upgraded catering facilities and improved power supply will assist in patient treatment and recovery.
Australian High Commission minister-counsellor Benedict David attended the hospital redevelopment ground-breaking ceremony at Tari on Thursday with representatives from the government and Australia, Oil Search Foundation and the Hela health authority. Business and community stakeholders also attended the launch.
David said the Australian government was committed to supporting the health sector in the country.
“The Australian government is working in partnership with the government of Papua New Guinea to support and improve primary healthcare,” he said.
“We expect better long-term health outcomes for the people of Hela as a result of this important infrastructure project. The hospital redevelopment is a testament to what can be achieved when government and the private sector work together,” he said.
Oil Search Ltd managing director and chairman of the Hela health authority Peter Botten acknowledged the public-private sector partnership and Australia’s support.
“We appreciate the support of the Australian government to deliver better health outcomes. Oil Search will continue to work closely with the Hela health authority to improve health services,” Botten said.
The incentive fund has funded 68 projects in Papua New Guinea with more than K129 million delivered for health projects since 2000.
The programme is in its fourth phase and has partnered a diverse range of high-performing private sector, civil society and faith-based organisations for projects in health, education and agriculture sectors.