Hospital wards open – The National

Southern Highlands health authority chief executive Dr Joseph Birisi (left) and Nipa-Basin local level government president John Titus opening the Nipa hospital outpatient, accident and emergency, antenatal and postnatal, and delivery wards last Friday. – Nationalpic by PETER WARI

FOUR years after the commissioning of the Southern Highlands’ Nipa hospital, four major wards were opened to the public last Friday.
They are the outpatient, accident and emergency, antenatal and postnatal and delivery wards.
Southern Highlands health authority (PHA) chief executive Dr Joseph Birisi said the hospital would be in full operation once its configuration was completed.
“The hospital was unable to fully function because it did not meet the national health service standard (NHSS),” he said.
Dr Birisi said the K25 million-plus hospital opened in 2017, would now give healthcare service to people from Margarima in Hela, some parts of Wage local level government (LLG) in Enga as well as the people from Nipa-Kutubu.
He said former health minister Michael Malabag, during the commissioning, said the Health Department gave certification in line with the NHSS as a level three hospital and would be classified as a level four hospital when other requirements were met.
“The PHA has arranged for a doctor and other health workers will be stationed at the hospital,” he said.
“The provincial government has spent K4mil to buy the latest equipment for the hospital and people from the district are fortunate.”
Malabag said the Kagua rural hospital was sitting idle because it did not meet the NHSS.
“Every district development authority and LLG should partner with the PHA to provide quality health services,” he said.
Governor William Powi said K4 million was paid last December and the PHA was responsible for the staffing and procurement of medical equipment.
“It is good news for the people in the district,” he said.
“Others from some parts of Hela and Enga can receive medical treatment at the hospital.
“K4 million was also paid for the Ialibu hospital re-development which is currently underway.
“Five houses have been built and an ambulance has been presented to them a few weeks ago.” Nipa-Kutubu development authority chief executive John Harrisol said communities living around the hospital should look after the hospital and its workers.
He said land at the Nipa station was purchased during the colonial days and landowners were given some gifts which were valuable.