PIH undergoes renovation

THE Pacific International Hospital (PIH) will provide some of the health services which are currently unavailable in Papua New Guinea once its new building is renovated, its chief executive officer Dr Amyna Sultan said.
The hospital will provide specialist treatment for heart, cancer, neurology, orthopaedics and urology for which Papua New Guineans have had to travel overseas to seek treatment.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on Monday toured the new PIH site at Taurama Lot 2, Section 105 in Port Moresby that is undergoing renovation after being unused for 13 years.
O’Neill said the government was happy to work together with such private hospitals to deliver better health services to the people of PNG.
 “PIH will be the Pride of the South Pacific island community in offering affordable quality advanced health care,” Sultan said.
“The main hospital building on the upper hill is designed for up to 150 beds but only 79 bed facilities were completed initially.
“A separate out-patient wing including 11 consulting rooms, treatment rooms, specimen collection room and auxiliary services was built on the lower hill.”
She said renovations were needed to meet current international standards.
Health Minister Michael Malabag said the Health Department and Aid agencies and private hospitals should form partnerships to ensure no one needing specialist treatment at private hospitals is turned away because of their inability to pay.
“I am mindful that the private sector has its limitations as a business with financial constraints and so does the public funding mechanism but it will be worthwhile to have a dialogue and look for solutions instead of turning patients away.”