K12.5 million earmarked for health sector

 A TOTAL of K12.5 million was earmarked for Western Highlands recently to boost the health sector in the province. 

The amount was for the establishment of three district hospitals and three community health posts in each electorate in the province.

The hospitals would be located at Kotna in the Dei electorate, Tinsley in Mul – Baiyer and Tambul in Tambul – Nebilyer.

At Tambul, the existing health centre will be demolished and temporary facility set up before work begins on a permanent district hospital. 

The community health posts will be at Wagpel and Ogelbeng in the Hagen electorate and Kenembo in Dei. 

Half of the funding came from the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Aid and AusAid through the kina to kina programme. 

Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA) provided the balance.  The contracts were awarded to the builders by the Western Highlands provincial supply and tenders board. 

WHPHA chief executive officer Dr James Kintwa said the purpose of this was to improve health care delivery to the people in a more professional way.

Kintwa said with the district hospitals and community health posts, better care and treatment would be provided to the public.

Kintwa said contracts were awarded to builders that were recognised by the PSTB and he was confident that work would start and finish on time.

“WHPHA is working along with the national health strategic plan 2011-20.“We want to see health service reaching the people and that is what we are working to make it happen,” Kintwa said.

He urged the public to take ownership of the projects because they would help them and their communities.